Maria Hsia is a political figure who was convicted in early 2001, by a Federal District Court. She was found guilty of laundering donations to the Democratic National Committee by the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights, California, during the 1996 U.S. presidential election. The judge, Paul Friedman, denied a request from the U.S. Department of Justice that Ms. Hsia should serve prison time, and instead sentenced her to 90 days' home detention, probation, a fine, and community service.
