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Dem Fundraiser Turns Himself In
August 31, 2007 2:09 PM
Disgraced Democratic party fundraiser Norman Hsu is out of jail tonight, after surrendering to authorities for a 15-year-old arrest warrant.
After being led away in handcuffs this morning, Hsu posted the $2 million bail set by California Superior Court Judge H. James Ellis and was released.
Hsu, an apparently wealthy apparel magnate, had pleaded no contest in 1992 for what authorities have called a Ponzi-like fraud scheme involving latex gloves that cost investors more than $1 million.
But after entering his plea, Hsu failed to appear for sentencing. At the time, he reportedly faced up to three years in prison. When Hsu didn't show, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Until news of his criminal past broke two days ago, Hsu was a major donor and fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.'s presidential bid. He has also donated to the presidential campaigns of Democratic Sens. Barack Obama, Ill., and Joseph Biden, Del.
Hsu reportedly raised well over $1 million for Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, by eliciting donations from others and giving generously from his own pockets. Questions have been raised in the last few days about many big contributions from Hsu's contributors, which appeared incommensurate with the modest incomes of the individuals and families who gave them. (Photo of Norman Hsu with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., courtesy of Stephen Schwartz.)
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
While suspicious, no evidence has surfaced that any donations are illegal. Both Hsu and the Clinton campaign have denied wrongdoing. Clinton's presidential campaign confirmed an upcoming fundraiser Hsu was slated to host has been cancelled. The campaign recently said it would donate $23,000 to charity, the same amount that Hsu had personally given her.
Hsu is described as warm and generous, but an air of mystery surrounds him and his wealth. He was reportedly the alleged victim of a 1990 kidnapping by Chinese gang members in San Francisco, possibly over a debt. After his arrest and alleged kidnapping, Hsu returned to Hong Kong for several years, returning to the United States in 1996, according to his attorney.
Since 2004, Hsu has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Democratic candidates and committees, and personally donated nearly a quarter million dollars. He has reportedly hosted several fundraisers, including pricey birthday parties for at least two congressmen.
On Thursday, Obama's campaign said he would give to charity the $2,000 Hsu contributed to his 2004 Senate campaign and the $5,000 Hsu gave to his political action committee, Hopefund. Hsu's $43,700 in donations to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and $2,500 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also will go to charity, both groups announced Thursday.
Associated Press writer Paul Elias contributed to this report.
This post has been updated.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
August 31, 2007 in Norman Hsu, Clinton Fundraiser | Permalink | User Comments (31)
This is all President Bush's fault.
Posted by: jim jones | Aug 31, 2007 3:28:12 PM
I wonder if this story will get the media coverage that the Craig story is getting?
Posted by: mamatuffy | Aug 31, 2007 3:29:21 PM
This guy is a thief, but Hillary is going to give the money he stole to charity? That does not seem just.
Posted by: Dan Green | Aug 31, 2007 3:31:32 PM
how can it be Bush's fault????
Posted by: jogger | Aug 31, 2007 3:49:11 PM
This story has been on foxnews.com
for THREE days.
MSNBC and ABC just picked it up, CNN still has not even reported it.
No, no the media is not liberal.
lol
Posted by: Marla Vreeland | Aug 31, 2007 4:10:56 PM
How is this Bush's fault???? I don't remember seeing his name in the story anywhere??.... Only a bunch of Left wing Liberals... :)
Posted by: Krissyp045 | Aug 31, 2007 4:16:58 PM
Anybody trying to use this story for political gain is a racist...Hillary and Osama, I mean, Obama, were duped.
Posted by: jim jones | Aug 31, 2007 4:29:50 PM
That was sarcasm. Next time, I'll make it easier for you...
Posted by: jim jones | Aug 31, 2007 4:36:50 PM
Wow, the genius media analist Marla Vreeland has done such a great job at pointing out the "liberal media" based on one story that suits her vibe. Who needs all those college courses in communications and history to study propaganda and yellow journalism, when you can login to ABCNews.com and read the great analysis of Marla Vreeland.
So, this "liberal" media covered the sex scandal of Senator Larry Craig, how much time did FoxNews dedicate? How much time has FoxNews dedicated to Iraq stories? to the civilian casualty rates in Iraq and Afghanistan? Lets see some fair and balanced coverage.
And that great genius who thinks that this previously unknown "fundraiser" is as important a story as a Senator on the lowdown, you amaze me with your analytical skills. Great job Mamatuffy.
And of course Dan Green who thinks that it was so wrong to have Clinton give the money to charity...where's your rantings when those who took money from Abramhoff gave it to charities. The money given to Abramhoff was from Native Americans here in Texas and then given to charities by those who took the money from him. So Dan, are you going to criticise them too? I doubt it.
Posted by: chris | Aug 31, 2007 4:41:38 PM
I see the right wingers are upset this story is somehow not getting enough attention, but how does this reflect in any way on Clinton or Obama? Are they supposed to have control over everybody who contributes to their campaigns? Are they directly involved anyway? NO. This has very little to do with them. Sen. Craig's story, however, does have a lot to do with him.
Posted by: Kevin | Aug 31, 2007 4:41:53 PM
And yet again, every time you do see an article in a negative light towards the dems? The repubs will find some way to STILL fuss that it's not fair. Is there any way to please them? It's either the timing, the page number, the content, etc.
Posted by: Sandra | Aug 31, 2007 4:45:58 PM
Put this in perspective - this is no Jack Abramoff / republican scandal - she would never have accepted had she known he was on the lamb
Posted by: Danny | Aug 31, 2007 4:49:08 PM
Turns out that the most ethical congress ever has become the most corrupt democratic congress ever
Its a who Hsu of democrats getting money from Hsu or his compatriots.
Time to throw the corrupt democrats out of office
Follow the money
Posted by: Bill A | Aug 31, 2007 5:15:10 PM
I think Chris needs to take some valium and maybe take another MN bathroom break, if you know what I mean...
Posted by: jim jones | Aug 31, 2007 5:33:53 PM
I read in another, more thorough article that Clinton is not giving back the money Hsu illegally funneled to her campaign through the Paw family in California - surprise, surprise. If you look at a list of all the politicians on Hsu''s dole, you will find almost every disgusting, beady-eyed, two-faced, conniving, liberal skunk in the US: Clinton, Edwards, Schumer, Spitzer, Cuomo, and even AL FRANKEN! Mr. Hsu donated cash to some of the most deceitful sc*mbags on earth. When I saw that list, it made me want to vomit! I wonder exactly what "favors" Hsu was expecting in return for his generous donations and personal fundraising. Also, if Hsu is just a con-artist from China who was convicted of a Ponzi scheme in California, where did he get the hundreds of thousands of dollars he donated to Democrats? Did he steal it from stupid American investors, was it wired to him from the Chinese government, or did his rich aunt leave it to him in her will? FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL! Let''s see where it goes. Subpoena Hsu''s bank records and find out who is pulling the strings of the Democrat Party.
Posted by: S_Temper | Aug 31, 2007 6:06:10 PM
Clinton(s) and chinese
Stay tuned for more, lots more.
Posted by: walt | Aug 31, 2007 6:12:53 PM
"He (Hsu) became a trustee at the New School and was elected to the Board of Governors of Eugene Lang College there. He endowed a scholarship in his name at the college and was co-chairman of a benefit awards dinner in 2006 that featured Mrs. Clinton, who had secured a $950,000 earmark for a mentoring program at the college for disadvantaged city youths." New York Times.
Posted by: Tex | Aug 31, 2007 7:11:47 PM
ROFLMOA!!!! THE DEMS have been on this holier than thou kick this week and its just business as usual for these snakes! Liberals are shamless... I am sure this is somehow President Bush's fault!
ROFLMAO
Posted by: LB Tartaglia | Aug 31, 2007 7:24:42 PM
So is Hillary going to give the tainted MILLION DOLLARS back? Will Hillary be investigated and hounded by a Rogue Ronnie Earle type Prosecutor? Will Hillary be forced to resign? This is as bad or worse than Abramoff but she will skate - fully protected by the lib media.
Posted by: Bill | Aug 31, 2007 8:04:59 PM
I'm not a big Hillary fan but this headline is totally misleading!!
Posted by: Marilyn | Aug 31, 2007 8:07:03 PM
The lib media will give this story the obliged 10 minutes and the issue will be erased in 20 minutes and those demanding justice will be silenced. So is Hillary going to give the tainted MILLION DOLLARS back? Will Hillary be investigated and hounded by a Rogue Ronnie Earle type Prosecutor? Will Hillary be forced to resign? This is as bad or worse than Abramoff but she will skate - fully protected by the lib media.
Posted by: Bill | Aug 31, 2007 8:21:35 PM
Birds of a feather. I'm surprised no one has brought up White Water for another look.
Posted by: Royce | Aug 31, 2007 9:01:06 PM
Thank you ABC for finally getting a headline correct!
Posted by: bob | Aug 31, 2007 9:01:46 PM
This is just scratching the surface of Hillary's dirt.
Posted by: bob | Aug 31, 2007 9:13:59 PM
Someone needs to investigate his connection to the American island of Saipan and the apparel industry there. The other person involved is Jack Abramoff, republican lobbyist who makes Hsu looks like child's play. The heart of Hsu's campaign contributions it to embarass democratic candidates at the behest of GOP hachet men.
Posted by: JerryS | Aug 31, 2007 10:24:38 PM
Why don't you bother to cite your sources when you say, "Hsu reportedly raised well over $1 million for Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign."?
This is something required of tenth graders working on the high school newspaper. Especially considering the LA Times reported it at $100,000 you would think this necessary. I guess we are iin for more of the rabid reporting that smeared Bill Clinton and gave us the idiot boy Bush, who has somehow excaped any scrutiny by ABC.
Posted by: karl popovich | Sep 1, 2007 1:39:55 AM
Subpeona Hillary. Let's get to the bottom of this corruption. lol.
Posted by: Dan Green | Sep 1, 2007 9:36:58 AM
Both Fox News and ABC started reporting on this on Wed. the 29. I think perhaps Ms. Vreeland should get her dates straight. By the way, I got this info off the respective web sites.
Posted by: John | Sep 2, 2007 10:14:06 AM
If Bill Clinton would have been able to keep his pants zipped up ,he could well be doing what King George is doing now with the full support of the christian right. Would this make it in Ripley's Believe It or Not ?
Posted by: L. Moore | Sep 3, 2007 10:18:30 AM
Hillary did receive money from Abranoff. She gave it back at the beginning of the scandal. LOTS of Dems did but of course only the Republicans were the villians.
Posted by: Pat | Sep 4, 2007 10:47:29 AM
The commies, oh, progressives - sorry about that, have been bankrolled by the commies (China) for years. China is most interested in having a weak and passive administration in the White House -- and one open to blackmail would be even better. The Chinese reaped some benefits from their past investments in US leftist politics when the Clintons sold them top secrete missile guidance system information in the 90s.
Posted by: Patti O'Riley | Sep 10, 2007 10:17:44 AM
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