Big Dem fundraiser wanted on swindling charges
The LA Times reports that Norman Hsu, powerful fundraiser for the Democratic party, is a wanted man "hiding in plain sight." Declared a 'fugitive' by the California attorney general, Hsu is wanted for evading a jail sentence for pleading no contest to charges of grand theft swindling.
Hsu evidently faced up to three years in prison for the charge. Hsu's lawyer, contacted Tuesday, recalls neither Hsu's pleading to a criminal case nor facing jail time.
Over the years, Hsu has contributed to the campaigns of Dianne Feinstein, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Edward Kennedy. His fundraising efforts for Hilary Clinton already total over $1 million. A spokesperson for the Clinton campaign said "We have no reason to call his contributions into question or to return them."
Hsu's name emerged earlier this week when the Wall Street Journal revealed that many donations to the Clinton campaign came from the address of a modest home in a San Francisco suburb, where the family of mailman William Paw resides. The Paw's donation closely track with Hsu's and Hsu once listed the address as his own. The Democratic fundraiser denies reimbursing the Paw family for its donations.
The Journal reported Wednesday that Hsu keeps a low profile, despite his prolific performance in Democratic fundraising circles. People who have met Hsu described him as warm and generous. Hsu and others denied he asked politicians for favors in return for his donations.
Read the full story at the LA Times.
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