Warrant issued for Hsu's arrest
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Norman Hsu has donated or raised more than $1 million for Democrats and their causes. He served as a "bundler," rounding up a group of donors and then packaging their checks together.
Democratic fundraiser fails to appear for bail hearing on grand theft charge.
By Dan Morain, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 6, 2007
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- A warrant was issued this morning for Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who failed to appear for a bail hearing on a 15-year-old grand theft charge.
San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Robert D. Foiles ordered Hsu, a major fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign, to be held without bail should he make an appearance. Last week, Hsu was released after posting $2 million bail.
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Hsu's attorney, James Brosnahan, explained that he had lost contact with Hsu and that the financier had failed to deliver his passport as promised.
"Mr. Hsu is not here and we don't know where he is," Brosnahan said outside court. "We expected him to be here."
Brosnahan told Foiles that a legal assistant for his law firm went to Hsu's New York City condominium last week and spent 90 minutes searching for Hsu's passport.
Prosecutors in California said Hsu disappeared in 1992 after pleading no contest and agreeing to serve up to three years in prison for defrauding investors in a Ponzi scheme.
"We don't know if he has his passport," Deputy Atty. Gen. Ralph Sevilla said. "What we do know is that a bench warrant has been issued."
Asked if Hsu has left the United States, Sevilla said that "he has that capability."
Hsu has lived in Hong Kong, where he has financial interests.
Sevilla said he would report today's developments to his superiors, who were likely to contact the FBI. Federal officials have already said they will investigate Hsu's fundraising activities.
Hsu has donated or raised more than $1 million for Democrats and their causes. He served as a "bundler," rounding up a group of donors and then packaging their checks together. He is a member of Clinton's "HillRaiser" group, individuals who pledged to raise more than $100,000 for her presidential campaign.
After reports surfaced in the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times about Hsu's activities, presidential contenders said they would give his contributions to charity.
Barack Obama, who received money for his 2004 Senate race and for his political action committee, said his campaign would give $7,000 to charity. The Clinton campaign gave up $23,000.
dan.morain@latimes.com
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