United States v. O'Donnell

FISHER, Circuit Judge:

Federal campaign finance law says that “[n]o person shall make a contribution in the name of another person.” 2 U.S.C. § 441f. We hold that this law prohibits a person from providing money to others to donate to a candidate for federal office in their own names, when in reality they are merely “straw donors.”

BACKGROUND

Defendant Pierce O’Donnell is alleged to have contributed $26,000 of his money in 2003 to the Edwards for President campaign through 13 individuals — primarily employees of his law firm as well as some of his relatives. According to the indictment,…