Posted on 10/28/2014 9:30:15 AM PDT by dignitasnews
Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow (full name Raymond Chow Kwok Cheung), the reputed San Francisco China Town Racketeer has a much more extensive relationship than some in the mainstream media would like to point out. Chow, who was in connection with a Federal probe which included disgraced California State Senator Leland Yee, has numerous connections to powerful California Democrats, particularly since his early release from a 24 year prison sentence on 2003.
"Shrimp Boy" Chow posing with former SF Mayor and current Cal Lt Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Since his release, Chow has been increasingly active in Democrat politics circles, regularly sharing the spotlight with leading Democrats, entertainers, Hollywood executives and socialites as part of the elite San Francisco nightlife. Upon his release, he began working with various city-sponsored organizations, including his work with "at-risk youth" of which he received praise and honors from various Democrat power brokers. As a result, he became heavily involved in community politics, and claimed to be pitching a movie to Hollywood about his life. He was being honored by the likes of San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
At a 2009 City Hall press conference, following a banquet held in his honor, Chow stated, "all the criminal past I had, I cannot deny that but today I do not represent crime. I do not represent violence and gangs." On his Facebook page, in 2012, he stated: "As a leader you sacrifice yourself, your time, your conflict of interest to be fair with another people. You must think about the public interest before yourself. You go thru a lot of obstacles but every obstacle you enjoy that moment. Every obstacle makes me stronger than ever. Life lesson. Carry yourself with the principal"
Chow was born in 1960 in Hong Kong. On the History Channels popular television program Gangland, Chow said he first joined a
Chow's
Certificate of Honor
gang in his native Hong Kong when he was nine years old, when he stabbed someone. Chow came to the United States at the age of 16, and was reportedly nicknamed "Shrimp Boy" by his grandmother, due to his small stature. He dropped out of high school and became involved with the Hop Sing Tong gang.
When Chow was 17 and a member of a the Hop Sing Boys, he survived an attack by a rival gang at the Golden Dragon restaurant.
Chow's first conviction was in 1978, for robbery in Chinatown, San Francisco. Chow received an 11-year sentence, of which he served 7 years and 4 months. He was released in 1985. In 1986, Chow was charged with 28 counts of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, mayhem, and illegal possession of a firearm. He served three years in prison and was released in 1989. In 1992 Chow was arrested for racketeering, later separated into two separate trials. The first was for illegal gun sales and the second was for prostitution, drugs and money laundering. Convicted in 1995, Chow was sentenced to 24 years. When crime lord Peter Chong was captured, Chow turned on his old boss and cooperated with authorities, testifying against him in exchange for a reduced sentence. He was released from prison in 2003. In 1996, Chow was tried again for racketeering, but the indictment was dismissed.
Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow enjoys an evening with Randy Jackson.
Despite his public persona as a rehabilitated criminal looking to "give back," Chow allegedly maintained his status among the San Francisco Chine underworld. He is currently the leader, or "dragon head," of Hung Moon Ghee Kung Tong, a fraternal association in San Francisco sometimes referred to as the Chinese Freemasons. Still, Chow had promoted himself as a legitimate businessman and "community organizer." The city gave him a certificate of honor, arranged by Democrat Supervisor Fiona Ma. He honored by Senator Diane Feinstein and other high-level politicians based on a "Change Agent" award given to him by Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services.
In his Facebook post directly after the raids, he declared, "Don't believe everything you read or hear. Make your decision after you meet me and get to know me. I got to laugh today and I hope this photo does the same for you."
By Dignitas News Service
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