Calif. judge rejects deal for lawyer as too harsh

Calif. judge rejects deal for lawyer as too harsh

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge is refusing to impose a prison sentence on a prominent attorney who pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributions to former Sen. John Edwards.

U.S. District Judge S. James Otero said Monday that a plea agreement in which Pierce O’Donnell agreed to serve six months in prison, pay a fine and accept other penalties was too harsh.

The judge urged a prosecutor to consider O’Donnell’s long history of service to the Los Angeles community and not to pursue a costly trial. He suggested house arrest would be more appropriate

But prosecutor Dennis Mitchell said he wants a jury trial, which has been set for Jan. 31.

O’Donnell pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reimbursing others to make contributions of $26,000 to Edwards’ 2004 presidential campaign.