Democrats Turn From Big Donor Who’s Fugitive

NYT ^ | August 31, 2007 | MIKE McINTIRE and LESLIE WAYNE

[vietvet67]

From $62,000 for Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York, to $10,000 for the Tennessee Democratic Party, the full extent of fund-raising by Norman Hsu came into focus yesterday, as campaigns across the country began returning his money in light of revelations that he is a fugitive in a fraud case.

Beyond the hundreds of thousands of dollars he raised from others for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Mr. Hsu personally contributed more than $600,000 to federal, state and municipal candidates in the last three years, a review of campaign finance records shows. It was a startling amount of money for someone whose sources of income remained far from obvious yesterday, as visits to addresses he has provided for his businesses found no trace of Mr. Hsu.

[flashbunny]

CULTURE OF CORRUPTION!

[mrsmel]

“When you have as many contributors as I’m fortunate enough to have,” she said, “we do the very best job we can based on the information available to us to make appropriate vetting decisions.”

Courtesy of Senator Clinton. You know that that excuse wouldn't fly from a Republican in the same position.

[Congressman Billybob]

As usual, the Times is sloppy in the use of the English language. No contribution can be "returned" unless it goes back to its source. If Clinton (here) were to return $23,000 to Norman Hsu, there would have to be a canceled check or proof of a wire in that amount from point to point.

What most of these politicians are allegedly doing is sending Hsu money from their campaigns to assorted charities. That is not a "return." And, given the tendency of politicians to lie, I'd like to see canceled checks and such on those alleged donations.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "A Streetcar Named Goats on the Roof"

[Red Badger]

Mr. Hsu is gonna need all that money for his legal bills........and body guards.......

[gulfcoast6]

My, my, what a surprise.

[vietvet67]

Related article from 2003/newsmax, yea I know, which seems fitting since this latest episode.

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/9/4/182207.shtml

[cosine]

“What most of these politicians are allegedly doing is sending Hsu money from their campaigns to assorted charities. That is not a “return.””

And the charities are 501c3s that simply reinforce a candidate’s campaign agenda.

[RC2]

I agree. I’d bet that Mr. Hsu will be found dead eventually. Like in “Suicide”......like in Foster, or random murder like in Parks. His testomony will, most likely, never be heard in a court of law. The Clinton machine will not allow it.

[Enchante]

A thought for FReeper researchers: not only should the obvious parallels to Chinagate corruption be pursued, but it is quite a mystery how Hsu could be a felony fugitive all these years and yet enter and leave the USA (it’s been reported that he makes trips to the PRC, etc.). How did he have a passport, didn’t his fugitive status get entered into the NCIC, how can someone be on the lam from Calif. and have a valid passport, etc.??????

Also, recall all the issues around ABLE DANGER and also Gorelick’s “wall” etc. Have the Clintonistas set things up to enable people like Hsu and all his contacts to stay beneath the “radar” of federal databases, etc.??????

Inquiring minds need to know!

[kittymyrib]

So what is the penalty for accepting dirty money? Nothing. And Hsu gets his cash back, so it’s a win for him too.
The campaign laws ought to penalize illegal campaign contributions by requiring the party that accepted the tainted money to give it to the opposition party. Now that would be a fitting penalty.

[Balding_Eagle]

This story is going to cause serious repercussions.

At least one Republican fund raiser will be jailed in the aftermath of this story, just to prove that it’s the REPUBLICANS who are the crooks

[Grampa Dave]

HSU, YOUR SUGAR DADDY NOW, HILL?