Hsu Captured!
Holy smoke. I never saw this one coming. I thought he was long gone, flown off to Hong Kong. Nope. Norman Hsu just got his butt captured in Colorado.
Fugitive political fundraiser Norman Hsu, who skipped out on San Mateo County authorities this week rather than face sentencing in a fraud scheme, was apprehended tonight by federal and local lawmen in Grand Junction, Colo.
Authorities said Hsu was taken into custody at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction at 7 p.m. local time. He had been on the lam for almost two days after failing to appear in a Redwood City courtroom Wednesday to surrender his passport.
Hsu's attorney told state prosecutors that he had been on a charter flight that arrived at Oakland International Airport at about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and then dropped out of sight, said Gareth Lacy, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's office.
Hsu's disappearing act seemed to be a reprise of a move he pulled in 1992, when he failed to show up for sentencing in the same grand theft case. Hsu was facing up to three years in state prison, a $10,000 fine and restitution payments after pleading no contest in 1992 to a single count of grand theft in what prosecutors described as a $1 million fraud scheme.
But while free on bail after his plea, Hsu dropped from sight for 15 years, apparently spending time in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan, only to emerge in recent years as a seemingly wealthy New York resident who donated generously in Democratic political campaigns, regularly attended fundraisers and was photographed with party leaders.
Well, let's see. A bit of judicious plea bargaining here and good, old Norm ought to be willing to talk a bit about his financial activities for Democrats. This should be interesting.
UPDATE: Flip notices that Hsu (presumably now known as "Cuffs") is still listed as a "Hillraiser" on Hillary! Clinton's website. After he's jailed will he be called a "bar-raiser?"
By FedUp, Friday, 7 September , 2007 @ 7:24 am
One hopes that Colorado has a few more smarts than the idiot judge who let this Hsu walk. Hsu needs to be cuffed and allowed one phone call… then put in a cell until his guilt or innocence can be proved. Wonder how many of those people he donated to will come forth and stand up for him… Hillary anyone?
Silly me!
By feeblemind, Friday, 7 September , 2007 @ 8:02 am
I was surprised, to say the least, that Hsu was captured. I wouldn’t have taken 100 to one that he would ever be heard from again. I think you are right Gaius, this could get interesting now. Unless California allows him to make bail again.
By mockinbird, Friday, 7 September , 2007 @ 3:42 pm
I thought it was a very serious crime to jump bail.
And then he crossed STATE LINES!
Oh Well, I guess he will go back to California and the judge will…take his shoes.