Hsu skips bail hearing, attorneys don’t know where he is; Update: On second thought, says Kennedy, I think I will give his money back
posted at 1:09 pm on September 5, 2007 by Allahpundit
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And he’s still got his passport! I’m simply woozy at the thought of how awesome this scandal may yet prove to be:
California businessman Norman Hsu, a former New York apparel executive and major contributor to Democratic candidates and causes, failed to appear for a bail reduction hearing Wednesday, leading to speculation that he again is a fugitive from the law, FOX News has learned.
Hsu’s attorneys say they do not know his whereabouts, and that their client did not surrender his passport.
Maybe he’s stuck in traffic? Could we really be so lucky as to have one of Hillary’s, and the Democrats’, top donors turn this glowingly radioactive? Stand by for giddy schadenfreudean updates!
Update: Arrest warrant issued.
“We do not know where he is as of this moment,” Hsu’s attorney James Brosnahan informed the judge. Foiles had earlier stated that his office had received a call that Hsu was going to be “approximately 10 minutes late,” Foiles said…
“There was some contact (with Hsu) a few hours ago,” Brosnahan said outside the courtroom, though he would not elaborate other than to say he was “not sure” where Hsu was when they spoke.
Update: Like Riehl says, he went to Hong Kong the first time he had legal troubles in the U.S. That’s the first place they’re looking now, I’m sure.
Update: Awesome: “On Monday, Mr. Hsu was required to turn his passport over to the court, but he told court officials that he had not been able to find it then. Mr. Brosnahan said they were hoping Mr. Hsu would bring it to court with him today.”
Update (Bryan): Hsu’s corporate shells are dropping left and right.
In campaign finance reports, Hsu’s companies are listed as: Next Components Ltd., Cool Planets Ltd., Because Men’s Clothes, and Dilini Management. But none of the companies have online footprints or appear in fashion industry directories that I have searched. The only official recognition of any of these companies that I have found is Next Components, in the form of a filing for a certificate of corporation with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations — but even that doesn’t hold up to closer scrutiny. The filing was from May 6, 2005, and when I called the Division of Corporations, a representative there told me that the filing needed to be renewed every two years for a fee of $9, but Next Components never responded to the renewal notice.
The filing lists 561 Seventh Ave., Suite 1301 as the address for Next Components, but I called Handro Properties, the management company that runs the building, and was told that not only have they never heard of Next Components, but “Suite 1301″ doesn’t even exist.
As I reported yesterday, it turns out that an address Hsu listed in his campaign finance filings—455 Fifth Ave.—is the site of the Mid-Manhattan Library.
There’s more at the link. Nothing about this guy checks out.
And where did all the money come from?
Update: A day after insisting that he’d keep Hsu’s money, Patches Kennedy jumps overboard with the rest of the Dems.
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The headline made me spit coffee AP. We have truly evolved into planet Gump.
Limerick on September 5, 2007 at 1:12 PM
On a cargo ship headed to China?
Topsecretk9 on September 5, 2007 at 1:13 PM
If this pans out, just maybe THIS will be enough for Patrick Kennedy to reject that $6,600 he got from Hsu.
Wineaholic on September 5, 2007 at 1:13 PM
Well, knock me over with a straw!
acleaver on September 5, 2007 at 1:13 PM
Take a deep breath there Allah, lets not get jumping to conclusions just yet.
Though a deeper scandal of how Hsu fled the country would be interesting, like to see how much of MSM can turn a blind eye to that….
Razgriez on September 5, 2007 at 1:13 PM
Maybe, just maybe. I think blogs and talk radio would have to drive it though. I doubt other candidates want to press on the issue of investigating donors too much. I imagine they all have some concerns as to their own dirty laundry.
Spirit of 1776 on September 5, 2007 at 1:14 PM
That was my thought too.
That wasn’t, but I like it. Funny.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 1:14 PM
I don’t know…he is a Kennedy. Not a clan known for having a strong sense of shame.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 1:15 PM
What the hell kind of DA and/or judge would let this guy get out on bail and not make him surrender his passport????!!!!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 5, 2007 at 1:15 PM
Has anyone looked behind the panty/cigar exhibit in the Clinton
Porn ShopLibrary?Hening on September 5, 2007 at 1:15 PM
Oh wait…….check with the Paw’s in their gift shop.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 5, 2007 at 1:16 PM
All I’m sayin’ is that he may have an inkling of the “Vince Foster Effect” when running up against the Dastardly Duo.
Personally I would go on the lam too…..
bbz123 on September 5, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Anybody check Ft. Marcie Park?
Pupster on September 5, 2007 at 1:18 PM
Rut roh.
Hope he didn’t go for a walk in Fort Marcy Park.
Brat on September 5, 2007 at 1:18 PM
Still isnt going to stick to the Teflon Queen…
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Is there a China link?
bnelson44 on September 5, 2007 at 1:20 PM
My first thought was the “Death by natural causes” headline.
portlandbob on September 5, 2007 at 1:22 PM
I didn’t even know he made bail. I wonder if he had the two million dollars himself?
Tanya on September 5, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Dead or in China.
frreal on September 5, 2007 at 1:24 PM
They’ll find him having tea with Jimmy Hoffa.
hindmost on September 5, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Someone check Mody Street.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 1:25 PM
He disappeared for X amount of years on the original charge and they….let….him….out…on……….bail.
I question that SERIOUSLY and i look at the Clintons
Defector01 on September 5, 2007 at 1:26 PM
Two words: Vince Foster
Norman Hsu sleeps with the fishes.
ncc770 on September 5, 2007 at 1:27 PM
HClinton to Norman: “Shoo, Hsu!”
Doug on September 5, 2007 at 1:27 PM
I wonder if he’ll be featured on America’s Most Wanted? Another Clinton closet-skeleton goes missing…
Jonas Parker on September 5, 2007 at 1:28 PM
doriangrey is right — won’t stick. Nothing will. She’s scandal-proof from the last time around.
By the way, Brosnahan was the guy who testified against Rehnquist at his hearings to become chief in 1986. I think he was also Lindh’s lawyer.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on September 5, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Oh, this is too good!
And they’re scared of Cheney, who can only make himself disappear.
Iblis on September 5, 2007 at 1:31 PM
I’ve heard he has in white Bronco headed for Tijuana. He is wearing a disguise and has a false passport. According to unofficial leads, we should be looking for a “Elvira Arellano”.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 5, 2007 at 1:32 PM
Cement Hsus.
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2007 at 1:32 PM
Quick get Craig to rescind his resignation! Hurry!
TheBigOldDog on September 5, 2007 at 1:32 PM
The kind that wants Hillary to be president?
aero on September 5, 2007 at 1:32 PM
It was TWO MILLION DOLLARS worth of bail.
In retrospect, a bad decision, but it’s not like the bail amount wasn’t substantial, at least.
And apparently he paid cash. And apparently he forfeited it, and, presumably, could afford to.
Youza.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 1:32 PM
I disagree. She has to put her negatives to bed and she knows it – that’s why the express humor on Letterman, etc. In contrast, if scandal resurfaces it will awake the negatives and remind the independents of the shrill and accusatory nature that Hillary defaults to.
Spirit of 1776 on September 5, 2007 at 1:33 PM
Buh-dump-bump.
Thank you everybody! JiangxiDad will be here all week.
(Good one, JD.)
aero on September 5, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Attila,
Perhaps so, but the blogs and the internet media were not so well established then. I would have thought so a few years ago, but ever since the uprising over the Shamnesty Bill, there is momentum building for the alternative media’s ability to disseminate information to the public.
Weebork on September 5, 2007 at 1:36 PM
They seek him here, they seek him there
The Authorities seek Norman Hsu everywhere
If you should see him, please do give a yell!
That demned elusive Hillary fund raiser from hell
They seek him here, they seek him there
The Authorities seek him everywhere
Oh, Hsuy, how the Authorities do implore you
Simply to come out from under your bed
With all your information
We could really slap Hillary in the head!
They seek him here, they seek him there
The righteous seek him everywhere!
He gives fair elections nothing but frustration
Sink me! He’s a spoilsport
Each and every demned fair election
He cuts short
They seek him here, they seek him there
The Authorities seek him everywhere
Is he in China or is he in Miama?
That demned elusive Hillary fund raiser from hell
- Percy
MB4 on September 5, 2007 at 1:36 PM
If this criminal is giving huge quantities of money to candidates and paying back poor people to cover his huge donations, then letting him out on ANY AMOUNT OF BAIL is insane and the judge who agreed to this should be fired for being an idiot, or probably a partisan hack.
Defector01 on September 5, 2007 at 1:37 PM
I repeat: Check Mody Street.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 1:38 PM
The smartest woman in the world and her enablers just handed Giuliani the opportunity to brandish his resume as a hard-boiled prosecutor.
there it is on September 5, 2007 at 1:38 PM
easier to raise money for democrats in china anyways.
lorien1973 on September 5, 2007 at 1:40 PM
Surely his passport won’t do him much good now. Would you wave an official document with your own name on it before a customs official if you were this guy?
What they should have made him surrender was all the fake passports he probably has. That would slow him down by five minutes at least.
TexasDan on September 5, 2007 at 1:41 PM
We have a winner! LOL
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Oh, Normie…you won’t see him no more…
see-dubya on September 5, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Why turn yourself in and then do a flit, at a bail reduction hearing, for heaven’s sake? Check Hong Kong by all means but they’d better check the river, too.
Retread on September 5, 2007 at 1:44 PM
Fox will be the only one covering this story.
moonsbreath on September 5, 2007 at 1:46 PM
If his destination is China, their customs officials would presumably welcome him home. Not sure he would have to pass any US customs on the way out. That being said, since he was already guilty of a previous charge, maybe he would be on some no-fly list.
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Exactly. The judge should have realized that forfeiting 2 million wouldn’t have been a problem for someone who’s become famous for giving away large amounts of cash.
Besides, what’s the purpose of giving any amount of bail to a known flight risk?
Esthier on September 5, 2007 at 1:53 PM
Didn’t Hsu trust that President Hillary would pardon him eventually?
aero on September 5, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Not to be cynical here, but I don’t see how this will be any worse for someone who already has so many skeletons that she yawns away the books outing them, claiming it’s all old news.
If all she has to do is claim she never knew him to be a crook, then how does him fleeing court make this any worse?
Esthier on September 5, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Bingo. I would be very surprised if they ever find Hsu; and even more surprised if they find him alive.
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Great question. Especially since he was a fugitive once before. Bail I understand. But not seizing his passport?
Another stupid judge. Let’s sic O’Reilly on him!
BacaDog on September 5, 2007 at 2:01 PM
Great question. Especially since he was a fugitive once before. Bail I understand. But not seizing his passport?
Another stupid judge. Let’s sic O’Reilly on him!
BacaDog on September 5, 2007 at 2:01 PM
huh? Not sure why the double post.
BacaDog on September 5, 2007 at 2:01 PM
I think Rove scooped him up, that magnificent bastard!
swami on September 5, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Anybody check the benches in Golden Gate Park?…
mojo on September 5, 2007 at 2:06 PM
Hot Springs, Ark, room 314, registered as Mr. Lewinski.
Limerick on September 5, 2007 at 2:13 PM
That Hsu was made for walkin’
yo on September 5, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Nothing to see here folks move along now.
sonnyspats1 on September 5, 2007 at 2:17 PM
…and Ron Brown. ;)
kcluva on September 5, 2007 at 2:22 PM
I meant to say, that was the winner in my book!!!
kcluva on September 5, 2007 at 2:23 PM
Fox News: Deja Hsu
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 2:23 PM
heh
Norman Hsu faces fraud counts dating to 1991. A
prominent Democratic fund-raiser with a criminal past
surrendered to California authorities yesterday as
nearly every politician he has helped rushed to
disavow him – except Gov. Rendell.
The governor said he would wait to see if Norman Hsu’s
1991 fraud conviction was upheld before divesting
nearly $40,000 in campaign cash the apparel executive
raised for him.
“I think this whole thing stinks,” Rendell said in a
telephone interview. “If this conviction stands I will
give the money back, but this idea of making him out
to be some sort of major criminal is absurd.”
William Amos on September 5, 2007 at 2:25 PM
Bill Clinton said it wasn’t necessary to return $100,000 or
more collected by Hsu from other donors.
“I think she did the right thing giving the money back
pending resolution of his case,” Bill Clinton added. “If
the other people say they gave the money of their own
accord then I think she should keep it.”
William Amos on September 5, 2007 at 2:26 PM
General Hsu’s Chicken.
fogw on September 5, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Drudge is rhyming:
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 2:30 PM
I think his sentence was only three years, and Hillary wouldn’t be able to give him a “Rich Special” for at least four years.
Hsu’s best bet is to skip the country and wait it out. China takes good care of its operatives.
logis on September 5, 2007 at 2:34 PM
He skipped bail and left Bill holding the hag.
right2bright on September 5, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Hm, slow boat to China, perhaps? Jack Bauer, call your office.
CP on September 5, 2007 at 2:40 PM
I’m sure Homeland Security has flagged the appropriate authorities and he’ll be back in custody within hours.
/snark
Valiant on September 5, 2007 at 2:43 PM
The Clintons have corrupt donors with possible connections to Chinese Communists?
Impossible AP. /heavy sarc.
How about we ask Kirsten what she thinks of this?
BKennedy on September 5, 2007 at 2:43 PM
Clinton will take care of him too, now that he has become an embarrassment.
pedestrian on September 5, 2007 at 2:44 PM
Hsu’s on first.
shaken on September 5, 2007 at 2:57 PM
No, he’s buried six feet under first.
Rick on September 5, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Perhaps it’s another fake kidnapping.
gabriel sutherland on September 5, 2007 at 3:03 PM
And very delicious snark it is.
baldilocks on September 5, 2007 at 3:11 PM
Four years ago they were at least 3,500 Chinese spy company/store fronts identified. America had 3,000 and Canada had 500.
The other Hsu has dropped… he’s been called home by the motherland.
SilverStar830 on September 5, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Does anybody here really think this isn’t part of a plan?
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to think Hsu’s actually gone AWOL. But I’ve just seen way too much of the Clintons to believe anything around them works that way.
logis on September 5, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Come on Guys!!! He’s at Vince Foster’s place!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on September 5, 2007 at 3:16 PM
If Hsu’s still alive, maybe the Chinese government will send him back as an “Ambassador for Peace and Justice.”
aero on September 5, 2007 at 3:18 PM
Maybe Hsu’s in the same place Hillary put all of those Whitewater papers she couldn’t find for a couple of years.
Maxx on September 5, 2007 at 3:22 PM
Thanks kind of an either/or thing. If Hsu has ties to the Chinese, Clinton can’t touch him.
I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m completely serious about this. I guess that, somehow, the story of Bill Clinton soliciting and accepting contributions from the Communist Chinese government got covered up by all that Monica Gate nonsense. But it’s really a pretty big deal, and not the kind that the Clintons can ever walk away from.
logis on September 5, 2007 at 3:24 PM
Handcuffs: $20
Lawyers fees: $50,000
Incompetence in the justice system: priceless
Also priceless: your comments! You guys–and the elusive Mr. Hsu–have made my day.
God, I love The Scarlet Pimpernel!
Numenorean on September 5, 2007 at 3:24 PM
You can disagree all you want but the historical record speaks for itself. She is completely untouchable by any scandal and has proven it time and time again, this is just another example…
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Best case scenario: witness protection program. Right up the FBI’s alley: Chinese spies along with the chinese mafia trying to influence elections, influence government officials, acquire state secrets, etc…etc… If this is as bad as it looks, the least of Hsu’s problems are the Clintons.
Anyway, if the Hsu fits.
dan on September 5, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Oh of course they’ll walk away from this because they are the Clintons
I don’t want to sound like a raving moonbat here, but I’m a second year law students. And even I know that if you have an individual with alot of liquid assets (cash) who has used that wealth obviously and has a passport, YOU DENY HIM BAIL AND MAKE HIM SURRENDER HIS PASSPORT! Either the judge in this case was so dumb that he has a windtunnel between his ears or someone whispered into his ear that this is what should be done.
A Chinese national who had gone missing for numerous YEARS when he was charged last time, who has given huge amounts of money to political campaigns in an illegal way, should NEVER have been allowed to make bail and leave. Hell if he had made bail and been forced to surrender his passport that’d be BAD BUT he’d still be in the US, that at least puts him in our jurisdiction to find and capture him. That they didn’t strip him of his passport immediately upon him turning himself in, is so moronic it beguiles comprehension. if a second year law student knows this, the only way a JUDGE (and I’d love to know who he is) would ignore these facts is either through PURE stupidity or because there’s something nasty politically that’s going on.
Defector01 on September 5, 2007 at 3:29 PM
Oh bullpucky, they already did and they are going to do it again. Yes it should be a big deal, but the democrats already have and will continue to ensure that it never becomes one. Hell Bill should have been impeached for TREASON over it, but nothing came of it and nothing ever will, nor will any of it stick to the
Anti-ChristTeflon Queen, all I can say is just watch and see.doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 3:31 PM
I would give grudging respect if he had used 1060 West Addison in Chicago for his fake address.
So the question now is this…is Hillary still a Hsu-in for the nomination?
James on September 5, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Heh heh heh It worked for Elwood…
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 3:35 PM
I have an image of a Chinese rocket launching him into space. No passport required.
Buy Danish on September 5, 2007 at 3:37 PM
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