by Mark Silva and Jill Zuckman
With word that one of Sen. Hillary Clinton's leading fundraisers is wanted on grand theft charges in California, Clinton’s campaign says it will give $23,000 it had collected from him to charity and review thousands of dollars more which businessman Norman Hsu has raised for her.
Another onetime Democratic candidate for president, Sen. John Kerry, also has decided to give a lesser amount of money that he had collected from Hsu to charity. Kerry (D-Mass.), the party's 2004 presidential nominee, "will be giving all contributions he received from Norman Hsu to charity,'' a spokeswoman for Kerry says.
In Kerry's case, it apparently wasn't that much money. Federal Election Commission records show that Hsu contributed $2,000 to Kerry's presidential campaign in 2003 and another $2,000 to Kerry’s “general election legal and accounting compliance fund” the following year.
Hsu also donated $2,000 to Obama’s Senate race in October 2004 - about two months after Obama became a national sensation at the Democratic National Convention
But then Hsu started giving money to Clinton's campaign, and raising money for her as well, and he has steered a lot of money her way.
The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Hsu has been a fugitive for the last 15 years after pleading no contest to grand theft, agreeing to serve three years in prison, and then disappearing.
The Wall Street Journal first reported Tuesday that Hsu's contributions to Clinton bear a remarkable coincidence with the contributions of some other, working class people who don’t ordinarily make large political donations -- though his lawyer has insisted there is no story there.
According to the FEC, Hsu has been a steady and generous contributor over the last several years, making direct contributions to individual candidates such as Obama (D-Ill.), Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Rep. Mark Udall (D-Col.), and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), to name a few.
Lately, Hsu has directed his contributions toClinton (D-N.Y.). He gave $4,400 to Clinton’s presidential exploratory committee, and $5,000 to her political action committee, HillPac. He also gave $4,200 in 2007 to Clinton’s Senate campaign account, Friends of Hillary.
Hsu, a New York businessman in the apparel trade who graduated from UC Berkeley and the Wharton School of Business, is credited with donating nearly $500,000 to national and local party candidates and their political committees in the last three years. He has earned a place in the Clinton campaign's "HillRaiser" group by pledging to raise more than $100,000 for her presidential bid.




Comments
Awwwww, isn't that sweet, they are giving the illegal money to charity! What about the $50,000 a year families who donated more than they make through Mr. Hsu? What about all the other campaign fundraising scandals involving Hillary? What about the Hollywood fundraising scandal in which Hillary has lied about regarding her involvement?
And, why does this story barely get mentioned in the newspapers and most news websites for the general public to see and learn about? Oooops, my bad, the mainstream media doesn't like reporting about illegal Democratic scandals and actitivies.
Posted by: John D | August 30, 2007 8:21 AM
A day late dollar short. If the donation had not been made public, she would have kept it with glee. As the election nears, hillary's true colors begin to show. People want to continue their illiusion that she is concerned about except here own needs. Go away hillary.
Posted by: Rob S | August 30, 2007 8:55 AM
No problem John D-bag. Democrats aint got jack on your boys. KRB proving a time schedule for mortar potshots at troops in long chow lines. A no bid contract courtesy of your hero Dick Cheney. Not to mention how many soldiers will come back with blood bourne illness via worm infested KRB water. Then there's a certain republicans bathroom antics. Well I could go on forever couldn't I. Don't worry Kool-Aid guzzler, you'll have plenty of chances to rail against Hillary with your customary bone headed drivel. After all she's gonna beat the snot out of whatever rich corrupt turd you guys field in 2008. Prepare for a BEATDOWN!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | August 30, 2007 9:06 AM
John D.,
You and Bruce must have PHDs in tedious.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 30, 2007 9:07 AM
No mainstream media - could you be more of a liar?!?!
This was all over the New York Times!!!!!
Posted by: Gus | August 30, 2007 9:14 AM
John D is right the driveby media is addicted to saying nice things about all Democrats and forget about Republicans.Hil is so worried about her coverage she started Media Matters to make sure her every word is read.
But, you can't walkaway easily from hanging out with felons like Marc Rich Charlie Trie, Hsu etc. Jerry White, SApringfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | August 30, 2007 9:27 AM
The Clintons do not have their staff
check out major donors? Of course they do. All campaigns do to avoid embarrassment from people like Hsu. Someone knew. The questions reporters should, but won't, ask Hillary are: What did she know and when did she know it?
Here we got again with the Clintons.
Posted by: Duluth | August 30, 2007 9:31 AM
Little Johnny D, first let me correct you on the accusation that Mr. Hsu contributed illegal money. This is absolute bull#@*!, he was wanted for a crime years ago and the fact that he’s a felon does not mean the money was obtained illegally. I think the Dems that are giving the money to charity now that they are aware of the situation means they are doing the right thing and have nothing to hide.
Posted by: Rory M | August 30, 2007 9:39 AM
John D is right, Hillary should give all the money Hsu funneled to her back.
But, uh, John, the story is all over the news. It is on the front page of Google news and all over the internet.
Posted by: nisleib | August 30, 2007 9:46 AM
That's the Clinton mode over these years--steal everything in sight, and when caught promise to give back the stolen money.
Posted by: Bruce | August 30, 2007 9:52 AM
As usual, Bruce spews a little lie and hopes he gets away with it.
Hillary didn't "steal" the money, let alone "everything in sight" - Hsu gave Hillary's campaign the money. Whether or not he obtained it illegally is to be determined by our judicial system.
Posted by: BC | August 30, 2007 10:17 AM
Kerry joined the United States Navy Reserve during his senior year at Yale. He is quoted as saying that he decided to join the Navy after he approached his draft board for permission to study for a year in Paris, and the draft board refused.[6] In addition, several of his classmates were enlisting in the armed services. Upon graduation from Yale, Kerry entered active duty and served until 1970, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant. Kerry was awarded several medals during his second tour of Vietnam, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts,while George W.Bush was drunk in Alabama.
Posted by: Raving Loon | August 30, 2007 10:22 AM
Nislieb, can you find it on MSNBC? CNN? Chicago Tribune?
Rory, by contributing illegal money I am referring to the laundering of donations, such as families who make $49,000 a year, yet somehow are able to ocntribute nearly as much as they make. You see Hsu launders campaign cash, circumvening laws, etc. Sorry, but that is illegal money.
Doug, tedious? Do you read the constant drivel from your buds, and you for that matter, on Bush a Nazi, Rove a KKKer, Cheney and Halliburton (which is funny cause under Clinton Halliburton got billions in no-bid contracts), etc.?
Posted by: John D | August 30, 2007 10:31 AM
Jerry White,
What is "drive by media?"
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 30, 2007 10:41 AM
That's the Clinton mode over these years--steal everything in sight, and when caught promise to give back the stolen money.
Posted by: Bruce | August 30, 2007 9:52 AM
RNC Bruce rears his ugly head. I thought whack a mole had taken you out!
Posted by: Force of Darkness | August 30, 2007 10:45 AM
John D -- Yes, it is on the front page of MSNBC. I don't go to CNN's website, ever, so I don't know about that.
Why did you include the Chicago Tribune?
Posted by: nisleib | August 30, 2007 11:08 AM
"BC", the primary question is NOT, as you say, whether Hsu OBTAINED the money illegally--though he might in fact have done so. The question is whether he DONATED the money illegally through rather obvious 'front" people. Which he clearly did. And whether the Clinton campaign knew, or should have known, of the fraud committed by one of its biggest donors.
The Clinton cabal that has in the past often solicited illegal campagin donations. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/background.htm
for a summary of just some of the Clinton fundraising frauds, from a source (the Washington Post) that is as left wing a media source as there is.
Posted by: Bruce | August 30, 2007 11:57 AM
Udall gave a $1000 donation to the Colorado Nation Guard foundation.
Link: http://blog.peakdems.org/2007/08/udall-donates-phony-felon-funds-to-co.html
Posted by: Flamethrower | August 30, 2007 12:02 PM
John D.,
Tediosity (if that's a word?) has to do with sniveling and whining about news coverage.
For example: I know that the Chicago Tribune has never endorsed a Democrat for president, yet I blog on this site nonetheless without wetting myself about it.
If you want to blog only with a publication that agrees with you, why are you here?
I don't spend my time sniveling and whineing at Faux News so why do you do it here?
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 30, 2007 12:17 PM
Willie Sutton used to do the same thing. When he was caught robbing a bank, he just gave back the money and it was okay. No charges, no fouls. Now don't ask who Willie Sutton was.
Posted by: Devon | August 30, 2007 2:36 PM
Doug, the Chicago Tribune is suppose to be an impartial and objective news source. Also, please do not confuse the editorial positions from the news pages. They are not the same.
Also, Fox News has more balance in its guests, contributors and reporting than most media outlets would ever consider.
While I can count into double digits the number of libs who contribute on Fox, I cannot count the number of conservatives who contribute on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and ABC COMBINED!
Posted by: John D | August 30, 2007 2:36 PM
John D, you are deluded. I always give you the benefit of the doubt but your claim that Fox news is "balanced" is by far the dumbest claim you've made all day (and that really is saying something.) Anybody with an ounce of brains knows that is not true.
Glen Beck, Joe Scarborough, Tucker Carlson and many more conservative talking heads spit out GOP talking points on their own shows, none of which are on Fox. Fox has NO liberal shows. And don't tell me about Alan Colmes, he barely even qualifies as human, much less a "liberal." And when Fox does have liberal guests on they have some Cro-Magnon commentator like Loofah Boy Oreilly shout over them so nobody can hear them. It is a dog and pony show channel aimed at mental midgets and cowards who like to talk tough.
Really, you just say these things to irritate loony leftists, right? You don't actually believe them, do you? You're paid to troll this site, right?
Posted by: nisleib | August 30, 2007 2:52 PM
They probably donated the money to a Budahist temple
Posted by: Terry | August 30, 2007 2:52 PM
DEFINE CHARITY.
This is the Clintons we're talking about.
The drive by media are those who cause damage then flee and never look back. Accusations by the "right" people, groups, or unnamed sources are guilt equivalences.
It's how bias is spread into the news.
Posted by: whatnow | August 30, 2007 3:42 PM
OK Johnny - give us the double digit "libs" that contribute to Fox.
ON A REGULAR BASIS, not as a "guest".
I'll even give you a head start - Juan Williams and Allan Colmes.
But, since you never back up your statements like that with facts, my wish is hopeless.
BTW, MSNBC has Carlson and Scarborough as hosts, and contributors like Pat Buchanan. So they are already one ahead of Fox!!!!
Posted by: BobinATL | August 30, 2007 3:55 PM
Nisleib, Greta Van Susteran is liberal. O'Reilly is more populist than conservative. Hannity and Mostly Clueless equal each other out.
But when you watch Fox News Sunday, the panel consists of two conservativs, two liberals. Brit Hume's Special Report usually consists of one conservative (more often than not Fred Barnes), one moderately liberal (more often than not Mort Kondrake, and one liberal (more often than not Mara Laisson). You also have Geraldo's shows (not a big fan of his) but he is a devout liberal and a darling when he was on MSNBC and the Today Show on NBC.
And the reporting, which I am more concerned about, on the actual news programs or slots is very much even-handed.
Does Fox overall slant conservative, yes, it does. But nowhere near as flinging to Left like NBC, CBS, CNN, and MSNBC.
By the way, you named three conservatives on the other channels. Beyond those three spread out among all the other networks, who else is there?
Posted by: John D | August 30, 2007 4:03 PM
I saw the word deluded in a recent post. If you truely think hillary is the one, you ARE deluded. As this incident shows, hillary is concerned about hillary only. Had this not been made public, she would have kept this and accepted more. hilaary = bad choice!
Posted by: Rob S | August 30, 2007 4:59 PM
Bruce give the Clinton stuff a rest. I mean is that all ya got, picking on a very good president? I should have voted for him but like you I was brainwashed at the time.
Posted by: Former Brainwashed Republican | August 30, 2007 5:09 PM
Really, you just say these things to irritate loony leftists, right? You don't actually believe them, do you? You're paid to troll this site, right?
Posted by: nisleib | August 30, 2007 2:52 PM
Nisleib I think he buys it all. Hook line and sinker. John D is obviously suffering from a mental impediment. There's no way anyone would pay him for babbling nonsensical dreck.
Posted by: jane doe | August 30, 2007 5:50 PM