Page "United States presidential election, 1996" Paragraph 101

One of the more notable events learned involved Vice President Al Gore and a fund-raising event held at Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California.

The Temple event was organized by DNC fund-raisers John Huang and Maria Hsia.

It is illegal under U. S. law for religious organizations to donate money to politicians or political groups due to their tax-exempt status.

The U. S. Justice Department alleged Hsia facilitated $ 100, 000 in illegal contributions to the 1996 Clinton-Gore re-election campaign through her efforts at the Temple.

Hsia was eventually convicted by a jury in March 2000.

The DNC eventually returned the money donated by the Temple's monks and nuns.

Twelve nuns and employees of the Temple refused to answer questions by pleading the Fifth Amendment when they were subpoenaed to testify before Congress in 1997.