This Michael Hilzik column states: “Federal prosecutors, incidentally, don’t agree that the case is finished. They’ve appealed the dismissal of the first two counts to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which won’t render a decision for months. But O’Donnell and his lawyer, George Terwilliger III, are treating the dismissal as a done deal with the self-confidence that almost makes you think they know something the prosecutors don’t. Possibly they assume the liberal appeals court will uphold the dismissal or that the Democratic Justice Department in Washington will pull the plug before the appellate panel speaks.” I don’t know what O’Donnell or Terwilliger are thinking, but I find it extremely hard to believe that the DOJ would pull the plug on this appeal (background here and here). Judge Ortero’s ruling, if left undisturbed, will create a gaping hole in the law barring conduit contributions.