WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The Latest on the court proceedings against Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
A federal judge has refused to toss out wire fraud and money laundering charges against Sedgwick County commissioner Michael O’Donnell.
U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren said Friday during a hearing that the defense team had not provided any reasons he could dismiss the charges under federal procedures.
The Wichita Eagle reported Melgren was highly critical of the defense contention federal charges should be dismissed because O’Donnell could have been charged under state law regulating alleged campaign finance violations.
A new 26-count indictment charges O’Donnell with wire fraud and money laundering, but drops earlier wire fraud counts related to reports filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.
A first appearance on that indictment is Aug. 28.
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10:43 a.m.
A federal judge plans to hear oral arguments on whether the federal government has needlessly interjected itself in matters traditionally reserved for states when it charged Sedgwick County commissioner Michael O’Donnell.
The U.S. attorney’s office says Friday’s hearing before U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren is still scheduled on defense motions notwithstanding the superseding indictment filed earlier this week. The defense wants the court to dismiss charges.
O’Donnell has pleaded not guilty to a 12-count indictment charging him with wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering for allegedly stealing $10,500 from his campaign accounts.
The new 26-count indictment charges him with wire fraud and money laundering, but drops five wire fraud counts related to reports filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. A first appearance on that indictment is Aug. 28.
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