Footing The Bill For Hsu
Flip Pidot at Suitably Flip has done a marvelous job in ferreting out the financial contributions of Norman Hsu to the Democratic Party and dozens of its candidates over the last few years. Whether bundling the donations of others or contributing directly, the convicted con man has made himself indispensable to high-powered Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, Andrew Cuomo, Ed Rendell, and Eliot Spitzer. In fact, Hsu has raised over $1.5 million for Democrats in one way or another, and his modest-means associates have donated some eye-popping amounts as well:
Hillary Clinton took by far the most money from Hsu and his suspect donor network - $174,000 net of refunds. Clinton has agreed to turn over only Hsu's direct contributions (just 13% of the total) to charity. Tied for the biggest windfall from Hsu directly were New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and New York Governor (and former Attorney General) Eliot Spitzer, with $60,100 each.Among state parties, campaign committees, and advocacy groups, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee topped the list, with $122,000, though three state Democratic parties or committees (Tennessee, New York, and New Jersey) took more from Hsu directly. Of the 32 organizations that took money from Hsu and his associates, 10 were state Democratic parties and several others were Democratic campaign committees.
Have any of these groups agreed to return this money yet?
Not so far. In fact, most of those who declared that they would return Hsu money only committed to doing so with his direct contributions. However, a look at the bundling leads quickly to the suspicion that Hsu used personal contacts as fronts. Flip notes that the Paw family donated over $280,000 since the 2004 cycle -- an amazing amount of money for a mail carrier and his homemaker wife. Half of that came through their son, who works for Hsu, but the total exceeds the recent mortgage on their Daly City Home.
The Lee residence exceeds the take from the Paws, however. The family whose head of household manages a nearby plant donated over $320,000 during the same period of time. The three residents made 186 separate transactions for those donations.
Besides the top recipients, the rest of the list looks rather familiar:
Ted Kennedy - $41,000
Harold Ford - $32,300
Barack Obama - $31,500
Bill Richardson - $23,000
But candidates are only a part of this picture. Here are a few organizations who reaped the suspicious Hsu cash:
DSCC - $122,033
DNC - $67,550
Dem (TN) - $58,000
Dem (NY) - $50,000
They took all this money from a man whose business references could not even withstand a cursory check by the New York Times in the space of a business day. He collected all this money, over $780,000 from Hsu directly, while he was a fugitive from a fraud conviction and without much apparent income. None of these Democratic candidates and organizations appears to have even bothered to check Hsu out or ask about the real source of his money. (via Michelle Malkin)
Posted by Ed Morrissey on September 4, 2007 5:58 PM | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (1)
Comments (14)
Posted by Fred | September 4, 2007 6:53 PM
From the Wall Street Journal Online
September 1, 2007:
Hsu Faces Probe Of Fund Raising For Democrats
By IANTHE JEANNE DUGAN, BRODY MULLINS and JIM CARLTON
"...Mr. Hsu has maintained a very low profile within New York's apparel industry. Representatives of one of the country's main import groups, the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel, said they had never heard of Mr. Hsu. Firms that track shipments to significant U.S. importers also found no record that companies listed by Mr. Hsu had imported goods into the U.S. over the past year.
And now, many acquaintances in New York say they aren't sure what he did for a living..."
Posted by Proud Kaffir | September 4, 2007 6:56 PM
Now, Captain, you are much too willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Treat them the same way that Dems treat Republicans. The Democrats willingly and knowingly took shady money from a known criminal and fugitive, and hence are all guilty. They should all be removed from office, prosecuted, and thrown in jail.
Posted by Carol Herman | September 4, 2007 6:57 PM
Is Hillary having a "road accident" on her ramp towards the nomination?
Ya know, I don't know what to believe.
I certainly don't mind it, if the Bonkeys pick her. For what it's worth, John Edwards and Obama are worse. Less than able to even carry a donkey cart in a presidential race.
On the other hand, I've seen "accidents" in my time; and this one about Hsu? So, "Hsu me," I think it's manufactured to damage Hillary ON PURPOSE. And, not to damage her, for instance, because there are people on the left who don't want her to run. ANd, they're besides themselves. They just don't even know how to "ask nice."
Nobody wants to be caught saying "Hey, lady, get the hell out of the way!
Instead? With Fred Thompson running an ad during tonight's New Hampshire debate; that lasts all of 30-seconds for a "spot" airing ... Drudge is running, among his headlines, news that Bill Clinton actually thought he could be Hillary's veep. Mind boggling. So, he's on Leno tonight. Sucking all the air out of the room.
Sure. You can watch.
The "last bump off" had to do with Howie Dean. Who also couldn't go from nomination to win; in typical presidential poltics. Where, Dukakis lost when he put on a helmet.
And, then there was Wesley Clark. Up on the nomination stage; and fizzling out in ten days.
2004. The scripted campaign, where John Kerry "saluted." And, you'd have thunk the stage would have begun moving; so the candidate could be dumped into the Boston Harbor. But, no. All the protesters were "caged."
Will the Bonkeys have their cages available again?
Will there be enough balloons, next time?
Will Fred Thompson's gamble, this week, pay off?
Ya know, he's filmed a 30-MINUTE spot; which will appear on his Internet spot.
Think about that. Because the Internet is fascinating. If Fred Thompson guessed right, he's gonna get traffic he can count on a site-meter. How much traffic can his site handle? Because that's the part where you'll see if he's a pro. Or not. (My guess is that this site will work like gangbusters.)
It also works totally around the whole "Legacy Media" complex. Can they not cover Thompson's opening? What would it mean if they ignored it?
You don't think they're angry?
Can't you see how "ignoring the MSM" as your vehicle "to announce" puts you in the driver's seat for something new? IF. THIS. WORKS.
Because it means the new method involved in reaching out, finds a way where you can talk directly to the people. And, not need those rascally pundits.
The down side? Well, I'm sure there's gonna be a whole bunch of brick bats thrown.
Meanwhile? Is Hillary getting shoved by her own?
Will this be the "new media's approach" ahead? Because Mitt Romney, another one of these "massa2shits miracles, has more money problems than she.
In a world where the moneys that get raised smell like the money you get from criminals. Drug lords. And, George Soros.
Posted by Del Dolemonte | September 4, 2007 6:59 PM
Chappaquiddick Fats' son, Rhode Island Rep. Patrick "Patches" Kennedy, just announced that he'll keep the money he got from Hsu. What a shocking development.
Posted by Burford Holly | September 4, 2007 8:09 PM
Newt takes $1,000,000 from casino owners.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/22/AR2007012201376.html
Fred breaks the rules about "testing the waters" fund rasing by $3,000,000
http://www.nysun.com/article/60925
Romney fund raiser Fabian indicted on dozens of charge
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/12/romney_fund_raiser_quits_after_indictment/
Giuliani's South Carolina chairman, the state treasurer, Thomas Ravenel, was indicted on federal cocaine charges (one of many of Rudy's pals arrested this year)
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/08/29/scandals_putting_campaigns_to_test/?page=2
Posted by dhunter | September 4, 2007 9:10 PM
Money from the Communist Chinese to the Communist Americans. Bundle em all up and cart em before a special prosecutor preferrably Karl Rove.
Do it before they are able to benefit and be nominated with their illegal money, illegally gotten.
Read Hitlery's thesis if you doubt she's a communist, or just listen to her talk about confiscating private company profits, socialized medicine, higher taxes. I hope the American people wake up before she sells us out to the Chinese completely for her own personal gain.
Amazing no press, TV or Print on this. Imagine if it were the republicans, it would be the lead every news cast till a special prosecutor was appointed and a someone fried. A shameful lame stream media no wonder no one is watching / buying and "Fox" is not much better than the rest.
Cowed by the Dems refusing to debate or go on and answer honest questions?
Posted by C. Cook | September 4, 2007 9:42 PM
Here's the question no one seems to be asking. How could Jerry Brown, the Democrat AG for the State of California, not have known he was taking funds from a convicted felon who fled California? Doesn't say much about Moonbeam's abilities as AG, does it? Or does it?
Posted by mrlynn | September 4, 2007 10:05 PM
The media are not interested. So it'll be up to the blogsphere to track down the source of Hsu's money.
Does anyone doubt it will be Red China?
The problem will be making this into a story the media can't ignore. How about a little serious investigation by the FBI?
/Mr Lynn
Posted by patrick neid | September 4, 2007 10:05 PM
Unless MSM reporters are willing to run with this story nothing happens other than to remind us of what is coming. She and the others will simply say it was staffing errors and the reporters, with a wink and nod, would get the picture.
It's happening already........
Posted by Aldo | September 4, 2007 11:05 PM
I can imagine the banner over the podium at the Democratic convention, with required FEC disclosure added in small print:
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (made in China)
Posted by Walter E. Wallis | September 4, 2007 11:08 PM
Hey, they needed someone to replace Jim Jones.
Posted by Burford China | September 5, 2007 7:41 AM
China? Boogity-boogity! Bush has given China, what, half a trillion dollars in US promissory notes? In the future, our taxes will go directly to them to build Chinese universities, hospitals, and armies.
Posted by LuckyBogey | September 5, 2007 7:44 AM
Since Bob Kerrey, Chinaman Hsu, and Bernie “Loral” Schwartz are great friends, is Sandy Burger in this inner circle also?
So now we have a 911 Commission member, a suspected Chinese agent, and Bernie the traitor all together directly with Hillary and money laundering. Who else is involved in the Chinese merry-go-round?
I think Gore's people leaked Hsu. Noticed yesterday that Tipper said on a Drudge linked article that she is ok if Al wants to run for Prez. Gore would be prefect to lead the moonbats.
Posted by Keemo | September 5, 2007 7:59 AM
Read this....
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57450
Bought and sold to the highest bidder; the Clinton's are...