Hsu Ordered to Prison
Norman Hsu in court, Sept. 2007. (AP).
By Matthew Mosk
It may not be the final chapter of his saga, but disgraced political mega-bundler Norman Hsu today lost his bid to have a 16-year-old fraud conviction tossed out. He was ordered to serve out a three year jail sentence, California authorities said.
California Superior Court Judge Stephen Hall affirmed the sentence that Hsu had initially agreed to serve in 1992. Before going to jail, Hsu jumped bail and fled the country. Hall rejected a motion Hsu had made arguing that his right to a speedy trial had been breeched because no one pursued him during his years as a fugitive.
Several years after he fled, Hsu returned to the U.S. and became a prolific political fundraiser and donor for Democrats. He rose to become one of the top bundlers for Sen. Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, raising more than $800,000 for her bid. That position brought attention, and ultimately, a fresh focus on his past misdeeds. After news accounts revealed the outstanding warrant, Hsu initially pledged cooperation with authorities, but then jumped bail a second time. He was picked up by the FBI in Colorado after allegedly attempting suicide on an Amtrak train.
Clinton returned the donations Hsu had gathered on her behalf, and her campaign has removed him from the public list of "Hillraisers" that identifies people who have contributed more than $100,000 to her effort.
The unexpected revelations about Hsu's past also led to fresh allegations that he had swindled investors on both coasts out of more than $40 million as part of a bogus clothing import business. Federal prosecutors in New York secured an indictment on the new fraud charges late last year.
A message left with Hsu's California attorney, James Brosnahan, was not returned.
"The next step is for federal authorities to pick him up," said Gareth Lacy, a spokesman for the California attorney general's office. "He'll be held here until he is sent to New York to face those charges."
Posted at 3:59 PM ET on Jan 4, 2008
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Posted by: oldboldguy | January 7, 2008 10:12 AM
Imagine for a moment if a major Republican fundraiser who raised millions for GOP candidates (including a leading presidential candidate) was a fugitive from justice and stole millions of dollars and went to jail. What would be the media's reaction?
A) They would go after it with a vengeance because the media hates corruption.
B) They would show it, but, as with all things in politics, both sides do it.
C) Barely cover it at all. After all, this is not really a news story.
The answer? If Hsu were a Republican, it would be A). But because he is a Democrat, it is C).
How do we know? Because when Jack Abramoff pulled the same crap, the media played it to the hilt. Hsu's story got buried on page 64 behind the want ads for deodorant pads for puppies.
Posted by: gideonssword81 | January 6, 2008 4:17 PM
The only reason the California AGs have been looking for this guy is for contributions?
If Jim Jones couldn't destroy Jerry Brown's career, I guess he'll weather this as well.
Posted by: stoopidity | January 6, 2008 1:33 AM
brucerealtor, Buhtto got killed for for the same lessons. She fled Pakistan during her corruption investigation, then went back to Pakistan under U.S. brokered deal. Her husband, Mr. 10%, and her son will inherit billions of ill gotten dollars.
Posted by: Mickey2 | January 4, 2008 11:30 PM
Perhaps, there are 4 lessons here.
1. If you are wanted by the law, either address those issues constructively, or LAY LOW.
2. If you choose to leave the country and are wanted by the law, don't come back -- or if you must, use a new identity and LAY LOW.
3. If you would REALLY rather kill yourself than be taken into custody, figure out how to do this CORRECTLY before it happens, then LAY LOW ANYWAY, preferably elsewhere.
4. What good you lost millions, if you will end either all or much of your life in jail. i.e., God forgives, the 'brotherhood' doesn't.
Posted by: brucerealtor | January 4, 2008 9:26 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Jack Abramoff fled the country and hid from authorities for 15 years? I didn't know that!