Lester Inouye pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of making campaign contributions under false names, and exceeding the $4,000 donation limit between 1996 and 2001.

District Court Judge Lono Lee denied a prosecution request that Inouye be placed on probation because he had not cooperated with police when the investigation began. Lee noted that Inouye had no criminal history, and granted a plea deferral that will allow him to clear his record if he is not arrested for a new offense within one year.

In a related case, city prosecutors hope to prove a retired engineering executive is mentally fit to face felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from similar alleged illegal donations.

Larry K. Matsuo, 77, was charged in April with money laundering and making a political contribution under a false name. His attorney has questioned whether Matsuo is able to remember what occurred and can make proper decisions.

The two cases are the latest in a long series connected to Harris' campaign. Harris has not been charged with wrongdoing.