Los Angeles-based attorney and former Congressional candidate, Pierce O’Donnell, pleaded guilty on Aug. 4 to two counts of making illegal campaign contributions to a political committee.

O’Donnell, of O’Donnell & Associates, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of making conduit contributions in March 2003, during a federal election campaign. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, O’Donnell agreed to serve six months in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has been set for Nov. 7, at which time a federal judge will decide whether to accept the plea agreement.

“As an experienced attorney and former candidate for the United States Congress, Pierce O’Donnell should have been well aware of federal election laws concerning campaign contributions,” United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. said. “Instead, Mr. O’Donnell chose to circumvent the laws designed to maintain transparency and shed light on the campaign process.”

In the plea agreement filed this week in United States District Court, O’Donnell specifically admitted that he reimbursed 10 people who each made a $2,000 contribution. O’Donnell solicited employees of his law firm, and at least one relative, to make contributions. O’Donnell then later reimbursed the contributors, concealing the fact that he was the true source of the contributions. The illegal donations are called “conduit contributions” because the person who makes them is advanced or reimbursed the funds and serves as a conduit for the real contributor.

In addition to serving six months in jail, O’Donnell has agreed to pay a $20,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service.