Norman Hsu

Hillary Clinton and Norman Hsu.

Norman Hsu is a leading Democrat fundraiser and a fugitive who is a staunch supporter of Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, raising nearly $100,000 for her Democrat primary race. In 2000 he raised over $1 million for Hillary Clinton’s senatorial race.

Hsu pleaded no contest to felony count of grand theft in 1991 and failed to appear in court for the sentencing. A warrant was issued in 1992 and orders were for a $2 million bail for Hsu if he were arrested. Hsu was found to have collected about $1 million from investors by falsely claiming he had a contract to import latex gloves.

Ronald Smetana, a California deputy attorney general who prosecuted the case, believes that the Hong Kong native has fled the United States, and said in August 2007, "We would obviously like Mr. Hsu to return and face justice." Hsu had turned himself in on Friday August 31st to authorities in California but failed to appear for his bail reduction hearing on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007, leading many to speculate that he has taken refuge in China or Hong Kong. The escape has much controversy because officials failed to carry out a order to take away Hsu's passport the Monday before the hearing.

Hsu incident has not been the first incident of illegal campaign funding towards the Clinton's. in 1997, Bill Clinton was investigated for a campaign fundraising "scandal" , and A report found that four persons were linked to large illicit contributions thought to have come from China's government through Hong Kong. These past instances have led some to question Hillary Clinton's plea of innocence in the matter.

Hsu has been found to have contributed to a number of Democrats including Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell; New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine; Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy; California Senator Dianne Feinstein; Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator John Kerry, and Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken..

After Hsu illegal activity was discovered, some Democrat candidates gave Hsu's donations to charity. Liberal Rhode Island Representative Patrick Kennedy refused to give away Hsu donations.