Fugitive Dem Donor Arrested in Colorado

Fundraiser Norman Hsu Arrested After Skipping Town On $2M Bail For Felony Theft Conviction

(AP)  Disgraced Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who skipped town on $2 million bail for a felony theft conviction, is back in custody after federal authorities tracked him down in Colorado.

Hsu's failure to appear for a scheduled court hearing Wednesday wasn't his first disappearing act. The Hong Kong native spent 15 years on the lam from the 1991 theft conviction until he surrendered to authorities last week.

FBI agents arrested Hsu at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., late Thursday, said FBI spokesman Joseph Schadler, who declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the arrest, saying details were in a sealed complaint.

Jason Booth, a spokesman for Hsu, declined comment late Thursday, saying he had not been in contact with Hsu for several days.

Hsu had been due in court Wednesday to turn over his passport and ask a judge to cut in half the $2 million bail he posted after he turned himself in. Instead, he failed to show up, and a judge issued a new arrest warrant for him.

California Attorney General spokesman Gareth Lacy said Hsu's lawyers told prosecutors Hsu arrived by charter jet at the Oakland airport about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday local time and then wasn't heard from again.

When it became apparent that Hsu had fled the state, California authorities sought the assistance of the FBI, whose agents arrested him Thursday night on charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Schadler said.

Once he is returned to state custody, the federal charges will be dismissed, Schadler said.

It was unclear when Hsu would be returned to California, "depending on how long it takes for extradition proceedings to take place, but he will be," he said.

Mesa County sheriff's spokeswoman Heather Benjamin said the sheriff's department and the Grand Junction Police Department assisted the FBI in the arrest, but declined to give any details. She referred questions to the FBI.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell became the latest of many Democratic politicians to return or donate to charity Hsu's election contributions.

Rendell had said last week he planned to keep nearly $40,000 of Hsu's money even though he was wanted for failing to appear for sentencing after pleading no contest to a felony charge of bilking investors out of $1 million.

"Though Norman is my friend, and remains so, his failure to appear casts a new light on his assertions regarding the original case," Rendell said in a statement before Hsu's arrest Thursday. "As a result, I will follow other elected officials and donate the money he contributed to me to charity."

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has said she plans to give to charity the $23,000 in donations she received from Hsu for her presidential and senatorial campaigns and to her political action committee, HillPac.

The growing flap over Hsu's contributions prompted Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd to release a statement Thursday vowing "to refuse to accept or possess campaign contributions raised, solicited, or delivered by fugitives from justice."

Hsu has said he believed he had resolved his legal issues, but that he would halt his work raising political money.

Prosecutors say Hsu bilked investors out of $1 million by telling them he had a contract to buy and sell latex gloves, but he never purchased the gloves and had no contract to sell them.

He pleaded no contest in 1991 to a felony count of grand theft and was facing up to three years in prison, but he skipped town before his 1992 sentencing date. Investigators believed he'd fled to Hong Kong.

Years later, he resurfaced as a top fundraiser, donating $260,000 to Democratic Party groups and federal candidates since 2004, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Though a top fundraiser for Clinton, he also donated to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's Senate campaign in 2004 and to Obama's political action committee.

Other Democrats who divested their campaigns of Hsu's money include California Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, as well as Al Franken, a Senate candidate in Minnesota, Reps. Michael Honda and Doris Matsui of California and Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania.

[gkc99]

This shows what little chump change the Democrats will bend over for.

They should take a lesson from the Repubs, who hold out to take money from the likes of Rupert Mordork, Blackwater, and Halliburton.

[mike71067]

"They should take a lesson from the Repubs, who hold out to take money from the likes of Rupert Mordork, Blackwater, and Halliburton."
-Posted by gkc99 at 08:26 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Rupert Murdoch donated money to Hillary''s campaign. Also, John Edwards received money from one of Murdoch''s publishing companies.

Incidentally, Bill Clinton awarded several no-bid contracts to Halliburton in the 90''s, and I''ll bet that didn''t bother you.

[jowand]

Where are all the Neo Progressives on this one.

[rushlimpdrug]

Presidential candidates kiss the azz of criminals like this to get elected and ignore the hard working, honest, well-intentioned American voter.
This is sooo wrong.
Sad that money trumps everything good.
This is why the lib vs conserv hate is sooo stupid.
These people are found in both parties and yet many are to blind to "see the forest for the trees".

[antoniof123]

Why can''t we put them in jail and just leave scum like this there. I just don''t get it.

[realpatriot1]

Both parties are corrupted by the same system that turns campaign staffs into ATM machines to take in money from whoever wants to give it. Sometimes influence is bought and sometimes the candidate doesn''t even know who gave the money.

The answer is public financing and it won''t happen without a President committed to keeping attention on the issue and keeping the feet of Congress to the fire until it''s passed.

All candidates are currently benefitting from the corrupt system. Some avoid the subject of reform because they like the system the way it is. Others are willing to fight to change it.

It does no good to complain and point the finger at one party or the other and then support candidates who support the status quo. If candidates lose when they propose changing the system, voters are equally to blame for the mess.

[red1530]

I hope the don''t grant bail to him again.

[rray52]

The growing flap over Hsu''s contributions prompted Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd to release a statement Thursday vowing "to refuse to accept or possess campaign contributions raised, solicited, or delivered by fugitives from justice."

I want to laugh, but he%u2019s serious. Keep the bread and circuses coming.

[pepperwood2]

Rendell had said last week he planned to keep nearly $40,000 of Hsu''s money even though he was wanted for failing to appear for sentencing after pleading no contest to a felony charge of bilking investors out of $1 million.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has said she plans to give to charity the $23,000 in donations she received from Hsu for her presidential and senatorial campaigns and to her political action committee, HillPac.

The growing flap over Hsu''s contributions prompted Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd to release a statement Thursday vowing "to refuse to accept or possess campaign contributions raised, solicited, or delivered by fugitives from justice."

Can somebody answer for me why it is that Rendell got twice as much as Hillary?.......To Hell with you American Patriots I''m going to keep it and use it to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom.

How accurate are their records? Can''t you just transfer the money to the Missing Travel Vouchers & make it as fuzzy as possible for the American People to find the truth out.

Polictics as usual for the Dems!

[pwrslm]

You could probably pick this whole thing apart, and end up in the Communist Parties main offices in China.

[jowand]

The answer is public financing and it won''''t happen without a President committed to keeping attention on the issue and keeping the feet of Congress to the fire until it''''s passed.

All candidates are currently benefitting from the corrupt system. Some avoid the subject of reform because they like the system the way it is. Others are willing to fight to change it.

It does no good to complain and point the finger at one party or the other and then support candidates who support the status quo. If candidates lose when they propose changing the system, voters are equally to blame for the mess.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 09:07 AM : Sep 07, 2007

I agree with you on the ATM statement, but I don''t want to have to pay through taxes for any of these cretins from either party elected

[pwrslm]

Congress reforming election contributions is like giving a Convict the keys to the prison.

Corruption will not become uncorrupt of its own accord. We need to pass an amendment to the Constitution in all 50 states to correct this issue.

Thats the only way it will ever get done.

[drputt45]

I''ll believe they sent the money to charity when I see the cancelled checks, hopefully to real charities.

How did we wind up with such losers in Washington?

[processor2]

I''m surprised he''s still alive.

More or less figured he would be "found" the
same way Vince Foster was "found"


...

[realpatriot1]

jowand,

I understand your sentiment. However, until we have public financing to level the playing field so that ethical people can compete and not be steamrolled over by the money machine and the tv time it buys.

The good ol'' boy/gal system is costing us far more in taxes with all the pork bought and paid for that public financing would pay for itself and fairly quickly.

[mbwinnsboro]

Well, it just goes to show you that the candidates research their contributors with the same laxity that they research the important social issues of our time. It is greed that drives the campaign bus, not fossil fuel.

[xlib]

gkc99-look up diane feinstien and her war profiteering hubby, then come back with the tired Halliburton garbage. As one person already pointed out, bubba also took money from them and let''s not forget the chi-coms.
No party does crooked campaigning better than the dems.

[whoever1234]

I''''ll believe they sent the money to charity when I see the cancelled checks, hopefully to real charities.
Posted by drputt45

I''m sure that for these crooks their favorite charity is themselves.

I''m getting a laugh over this whole situation, though, as I''m sure the Democrook spin doctors having to work 24x7 because the crook that hired them has not gone down quietly and caused this whole story to mushroom.

[mike71067]

The Dems were hoping this story would go away. Unfortunately for them, they didn''t return the money until AFTER it made the headlines. That''s where they acted like typical Democrat jerks.

[pepperp1]

Good job Dems, the guy is probably funded by RNC operatives and is really a political hit, the whole event is very suspicious but http will come out.. Be on guard for other attempts at plants. Call these RNC distraction and Neo Cons press hits out and move on.

[processor2]

I''m surprised he''s still alive.

More or less figured he would be "found" the
same way Vince Foster was "found"


...

[papabc]

Isn''t he Hilley''s Friend or at least he was.

Watch her pardon him if she becomes president.

[papabc]

...Good job Dems, the guy is probably funded by RNC operatives and is really a political hit, the whole event is very suspicious but http will come out.. Be on guard for other attempts at plants. Call these RNC distraction and Neo Cons press hits out and move on.
Posted by pepperp1 at 10:50 AM : Sep 07, 2007...

I know, it is all the Republican''s fault that Democrats (Hillery, Obama and such) took money from this guy.

[donbl1]

This story is going to have legs......

Next story is "Hsu is working with authorities......"

Where did he get the money?

[nolalou]

This kind of stuff goes on in both parties! The fact that the American system of elections requires so much money, and most of it raised through private donations, it''s hard to track where lots of it comes from. Hsu''s legal problems have to do with fraud and go back to 91, at least a year before Bill Clinton got elected. He is not charged with any thing to do with fund raising for the current presidential campaign, and didn''t get into political fund raising until 2004.

You''d think candidates would have access to information on people who raise large sums for their campaigns, and avoid those with a criminal record. Especially candidates for President, who have a large staff that can look into these things.

Until we have real campaign finance reform, and publicly funded elections, these problems will continue.

[mike71067]

"Good job Dems, the guy is probably funded by RNC operatives and is really a political hit, the whole event is very suspicious but http will come out.. Be on guard for other attempts at plants. Call these RNC distraction and Neo Cons press hits out and move on."
-Posted by pepperp1 at 10:50 AM : Sep 07, 2007

What?! I believe you are either in serious denial or are mentally retarded. This story has legs, because Norman Hsu and the Democrats go WAAAAY back. And the only reason the Dems gave the money back is because they were caught with it.

"GOP Culture of Corruption"? Look in the mirror.

[lars008-2009]

HSU A NO HSU AT HEARING%u2026 LOL
Democratic Donor a No Show at Hearing
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070906/D8RFKG500.html
Dems Dirty Donor Norman Hsu Fails to Show for Bail Reduction Hearing Leading to Speculation He''s On the Run
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295828,00.html
china buys usa elections???
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chinese+campaign contributions democrat
Big Source of Clinton''s Cash Is an Unlikely Address
Family''s Donations Closely Track Those Of Top Fund-Raiser
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118826947048110677.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news
Report: Hillary Clinton Big Money Donor Wanted for Grand Theft
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Hillary Clinton Big Money Donor Wanted for Grand Theft&btnG=Search
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295031,00.html
Leading Clinton Donor Stays Below the Radar
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118835199704811801.html?mod=blog
''DIRTY CASH'' MAN FLEES
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03042007/news/nationalnews/pro_clinton_dirty_cash_man_flees_nationalnews_christine_field.htm
RNC pushing the China angle
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0807/RNC_Pushing_the_China_angle.html
Democrats Turn From Big Donor Who%u2019s Fugitive
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/31/us/politics/31hsu.html?ei=5065&en=c3f5afa614172532&ex=1189224000&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

[processor2]

I''m surprised he''s still alive.

More or less figured he would be "found" the
same way Vince Foster was "found"


...

[tikka12]

What I can''t understand is how he could have been "missing" for 15 years when he was on the East Coast diddling around with his companies in the garment district in NYC and raising funds in plain sight for the Democratic party? What are they doing with taxpayer money in California when it comes to rounding up some skipjack like this? This time, because it''s in the news and a big embarrassment they found him pretty quickly.

[luigi999-2009]

And the Democrats didn''t know Hsu was a fugitive? No wonder the Democrats in congress are so utterly inept! Hillary Clinton is in that group.

[lars008-2009]

SYSTEMIC CORRUPTION IN THE DEMONIC-RAT PARTY

FBI arrests 11 NJ officials for bribery
All of them are Democrats.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/09/fbi_arrests_11_nj_officials_fo.html
systemic corruption in the Democratic Party
Corruption sting crosses N.J.
12 charged in a widening investigation that began with contracts in an Atlantic County school district.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20070907_Corruption_sting_crosses_N_J_.html
Hillary campaign honcho among 11 busted in N.J. sting
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/09/07/2007-09-07_hillary_campaign_honcho_among_11_busted_.html
11 Arrested in N.J. Corruption Inquiry
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/nyregion/06corruptCND.html?em&ex=1189310400&en=b504d6c2fbd19cba&ei=5087%0A
Castro''s tip: Clinton-Obama the winning ticket
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2825114320070829?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true
Kathleen Willey: Clintons stole my manuscript
House burglary over weekend targeted copy of book days after details leaked to press
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article57498.html

[infidel_us]

And now for something completely different.....

''GREEN'' GORE GOES GULFSTREAM: VIDEO CATCHES ECO-WARRIOR ON LUXURY PRIVATE JET
Fri Sep 07 2007 07:48:23 ET

**Exclusive**

As former Vice President Al Gore waits to hear if he has won this year''s Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless effort on climate change, a new video will air this weekend capturing Gore on a fuel-guzzling private jet!

Developing...

[lars008-2009]

IS EUROPE WAKING UP TO FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM!!! WILL THE DEMONIC-RATS???

Germany considers increased spying on Muslims
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/19539.html
Swiss expulsion proposal draws criticism
Under the plan, entire families would be expelled if their children are convicted of a violent crime, drug offenses or benefits fraud.
"We believe that parents are responsible for bringing up their children. If they can''t do it properly, they will have to bear the consequences," Ueli Maurer, president of the People''s Party, told The Associated Press.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070901/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_deportation_campaign
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2938940.ece
Netherlands sets plan against extremism
The Dutch government will spend $38 million over the next four years to prevent both the growth of Islamic fundamentalism and right-wing nationalism, an official said Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070827/ap_on_re_eu/netherlands_extremists_1
Germany Wants to Spy on Suspects Via Web
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8RC4F2O1&show_article=1
Straitjackets for illegals
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2176422,00.html

[perception5]

Just another example of the "culture of corruption" in our 110th Do Nothing Democrat Congress.

[lorinkundert]

"Hsu has said he believed he had resolved his legal issues"

Unless he stood before a judge and had his case closed, he knew he was wanted and so did the Democrats that took his money.

[lars008-2009]

so NOW eddie admits there is terrorislam%u2026 LOL

Edwards Proposing Anti-Terrorism Agency
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070907/D8RGM0R00.html

[pepperwood2]

The growing flap over Hsu''s contributions prompted Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd to release a statement Thursday vowing "to refuse to accept or possess campaign contributions raised, solicited, or delivered by fugitives from justice."

Latest approval rateings - Bush................32%
Dem controlled Congress - ................22%

I doubt that Chris Dodd recent enlightment & statement will move that up much.

Rendell had said last week he planned to keep nearly $40,000 of Hsu''s money.

Rendell said in a statement before Hsu''s arrest Thursday. "As a result, I will follow other elected officials and donate the money he contributed to me to charity."

In other words - Groups that we can channel this to that have been known to support our Agenda. You see that''s not going to slow the Clinton Express down any. But its a bit embaraassing now that Hillary Rodent knows I received more. We have to concentrate on Real ethics reform instead on shutting out the non-profit Grassroots Groups of the American People.

[lars008-2009]

VOTE FOR JEFFERSON%u2026 VOTE GOP%u2026

dnc are like john adams and want to give the jihadist their lunch money hoping they will leave us alone....

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to spend their lunch money on weapons and go kick the jihadists in their arses.....

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam..... he killed plenty of them....

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli''s envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
muslim justifies slavery and piracy%u2026
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-29d1c54b0ad7

[processor2]

I''''m surprised he''''s still alive.

More or less figured he would be "found" the
same way Vince Foster was "found"


...

[rray52]

Another Chinese import recall.

[tcoleman12]

Wow, 14 paragraphs before Clinton''s name appears. That is real journalism, particularly with a front-running presidential candidate involved. Way to go CBS.

Change the party donations and it reads "Romney Donor/Fugitive Arrested in Colorado"...

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid%u2026.

non muslims of the world unite... fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside...

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair''s bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770
Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

the truth about fascist nazi terrorislam...
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/

[lars008-2009]

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Ben Franklin

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin

We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle

It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war. John F. Kennedy

There''s a graveyard in northern France where all the dead boys from D-Day are buried. The white crosses reach from one horizon to the other. I remember looking it over and thinking it was a forest of graves. But the rows were like this, dizzying, diagonal, perfectly straight, so after all it wasn''t a forest but an orchard of graves. Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature. Barbara Kingsolver

They have not wanted Peace at all; they have wanted to be spared war -- as though the absence of war was the same as peace. Dorothy Thompson

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy. George Washington

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. John Adams

[lars008-2009]

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature, and has no chance of being free unless made or kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill

It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. Robert E. Lee

A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war. Simone Weil

If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. Thomas Paine

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realise that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. Winston Churchill

One ought never to turn one''s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill