Remember Norman Hsu?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_HsuEntry into politics
Hsu then returned to the United States in the late 1990s,[23] despite his fugitive status, and established several addresses in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas.[2] He became an investor in Silicon Valley,[20] invested in real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area,[2] and still had engagements in the garment industry.[2] He later relocated to New York, where he seemed to become involved in the apparel business once again[23] and lived in a luxury apartment in SoHo while flying chartered jets.[23]
Starting in 2003, Hsu began contributing to, and collecting contributions for, the Democratic Party,[17][19][23][24] although he did not join the party and was not registered to vote.[25][26] He also donated to causes such as the Innocence Project and Clinton Global Initiative.[2] He also became a trustee of The New School in New York, to whom he donated $100,000 and provided the money for a scholarship.[27]
Democratic Party figures claimed they did not know much about him or his businesses, but appreciated his support;[2] and he became known to them as someone who could quickly raise large amounts of money,[23] and as someone who networked tirelessly and always found ways to be included in high-profile events.[28] By 2007, Hsu's status within Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign had risen to the level where he was a "HillRaiser",[23][29] someone who had "bundled" more than $100,000 for her campaign, and to where he co-hosted a $1 million fundraiser at wealthy Democratic Party supporter Ron Burkle's Beverly Hills estate,[3] and in September, he was scheduled to co-host a major gala fundraising event featuring music legend Quincy Jones.[17]
Relationship with Paw family
In August 2007, an investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed potential campaign finance irregularities involving Hsu, in his role as a "bundler", and his long-time associates, the Paw family of Daly City, California. Specifically, members of the Paw family made donations of over $200,000 to Democratic candidates since 2005. These donations closely coordinated with those of Hsu in terms of timing, amounts and donees. In addition, the donations appeared to be much larger than would be expected given the Paw's modest income. According to records obtained for the investigation, the Paws own a gift shop and live in a 1,280-square-foot (119 m2) house that they recently refinanced for $270,000. William Paw, the 64-year-old head of the household, is a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service and earns approximately $49,000 a year.[3] Other records linked Hsu to the Paws, including a campaign finance filing in which Hsu lists the Paw's home as his residence.
In September 2007, it was reported that the U.S. Justice Department has launched a formal investigation into possible campaign finance violations by Hsu and his associates. One focal point for the investigation concerns whether any of the donations by the Paws were reimbursed by Hsu, which would constitute a felony. Through his attorney, Hsu has denied any wrongdoing.[13]
Status as fugitive
One day after the release of The Wall Street Journal's investigation, it was reported that the warrant issued after Hsu's failure to appear for sentencing for his 1992 fraud conviction was still valid.[4] On 31 August 2007, Hsu surrendered to authorities at the district court house in Redwood City, California.[30] The California Attorney General's office had negotiated $1 million bail to be eventually applied to restitution, but the presiding judge set the amount at the $2 million.[31] Hsu was jailed briefly that day until his attorney returned with the increased bail. The following week, Hsu failed to appear for a bail reduction hearing on 5 September at which he was expected to turn in his passport. A "no bail" warrant was immediately issued for his arrest and Hsu forfeited the $2 million. On 6 September, he was arrested by the FBI in Grand Junction, Colorado, after falling ill on the California Zephyr train headed for Chicago.[2][8][11][12][32][33] It was subsequently revealed that Hsu mailed suicide notes to several acquaintances and organizations before boarding the train, and was discovered with prescription pills loose in his compartment.[34]
It was unclear how Hsu could have remained at large for 15 years and engage in prominent political activity without being detected. It was also unclear how a convicted felon, having already fled prosecution once, was allowed out on bail without first having to surrender his passport. Prior to Hsu's second attempt to flee, James Brosnahan, Hsu's attorney in California, defended Hsu stating that Hsu's prominence showed that he did not behave like a fugitive and that Hsu was moving towards a resolution of the matter, including a plan of restitution for victims of Hsu's actions.[27]
On 13 September 2007, a Colorado judge denied a prosecutor's request for bail to be set at $50 million and instead set bail for Hsu at $5 million.[35] The prosecutor reported Hsu to have a checkbook listing a balance of $6 million at the time of his capture in Grand Junction.[36] The presiding judge remarked, "$2 million wasn't enough to keep Mr. Hsu from running. We'll see if $5 million will do it."[37]
On 4 January 2008, Hsu was sentenced to jail for 3 years by California Superior Court Judge Stephen Hall for the original fraud conviction, now 16 years old. Judge Hall rejected Hsu's argument that his right to a speedy trial was denied by authorities who could have easily found and arrested him.[38]
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/longtime-fundraiser-linked-hillary-clinton-norman-hsu-convicted-violating-campaign-finance-law-article-1.407603
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