The Most Important Question About Norman Hsu

Norman Hsu has been lost and found for well over 15 years. For a large part of that time he was bilking friends and even his girlfriend out of money. After being convicted of fraud, he skipped the country for China, only to re-appear and become a major contributor and “bundler” for prominent Democrats.

There is a great deal of suspicion that a lot of the money that he “bundled” was not really a contribution from third parties, but was money that he laundered through others to avoid the campaign finance limits on political contributions. One couple he used was headed by a mail carrier who earned less than $50,000 per year yet claimed to have contributed over $200,000. Shades of the Al Gore Buddhist temple scam, where Buddhist priests and nuns were reimbursed for their contributions to Gore’s campaign, in violation of campaign finance laws.

While early reports on Hsu indicated that he was a wealthy business man who was an active supporter of Democrats and their causes, efforts to investigate his financial dealings invariably led to blind alleys. Except for frauds and scams, no one seems to have discovered the source of Hsu’s wealth. Where did he get the money to live his lavish lifestyle which included a Manhattan loft, limousines, charitable contributions to places the “The New School,” lavish fund raising parties and private jets? Were these all the results of crooked business dealings and Ponzi schemes? No one seems to know.

The latest bizarre turn came last week when, after posting $2 million bail, Hsu was allowed to go free to find his passport. His return to the California via private jet led from the Oakland airport to Emeryville and Amtrak’s California Zephyr and a ticket to Colorado.

Checking Hsu’s strange journey it appears to be deliberately planned. One can catch the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system at the Oakland Airport and be deposited in a short period of time at the Mac Arthur station which is near the terminus for the California Zephyr. This, by the way, avoids the Bay Area’s morning commuting traffic.

Having once gotten on the train, Hsu is next observed to have shed some of his clothes and appears distraught. What would make him appear "worried/disoriented?

Well, it may be instructive to see who he was in communication with. His cell phone records should shed some light on this issue.

Did he perceive any threats? Well, some comments may be interpreted as concern for his well being, or they may have a more sinister implication. When Tony Soprano tells you: “… you don’t look so good; watch out for your health,” that may be a sign that you need a long vacation.

Hsu's attorney, Jim Brosnahan, said Friday, "a great many friends of Norman Hsu have expressed concern about his mental health and physical well-being" since he disappeared. The Belmont Club asks:

Question: has Hsu asked for his attorney, Jim Brosnahan, yet? Is it possible that Hsu actually feels better now that he is "under armed guard at the hospital on federal charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution" in the custody of the Feds? Could it be that the Fed's stated intend to drop all flight charges and turn him over to the local authorities is actually a threat? Well, who knows.

Is this a set-up for Arkancide?

Keeping in mind that Norman Hsu was one of the Democrats’ very top fund raisers over the past few years, this kind of comment reminds you of the way the Clintons were going to discredit Monica Lewinski. Wasn't this called the "nuts and sluts" defense?

The press is finally raising questions about the source of Hsu's money. That is an important question. Once we know the source it may answer a more important question: why was a con-man trying to buy access to the most influential Democrats?

Once we know the source of the money, I think we'll also know the answer to the more important question.

UPDATE: Powerline has links to other stories. Their comment echoes mine:

Hsuicide watch
The Wall Street Journal's online Washinton Wire reports on the strange flight of fugitive political fundraiser Norman Hsu, now in custody in Colorado after falling ill on an Amtrak train last week. On Saturday the Journal asked "What made Norman Hsu run?" On Sunday the New York Times took a look at "Norman Hsu's money trail." On Monday the Los Angeles Times reported "FBI looks into disgraced donor's business." (Compare the Los Angeles Times story with our "Are you with me Mr. Hsu?") I think the pertinent questions are: Where did the money come from? And why was it so important to Norman Hsu that Hillary Clinton become president?