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Trail of Hsu's Ambition Leads to Prison

Business washout satisfied thirst for power in political fundraising

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2007 1:35 PM CST

(Newser) – After several failed business schemes in the 1980s and 1990s, Norman Hsu went home to Hong Kong to recoup and plan an ego-boosting second try at the American fast lane. The Journal fills in the gaps in Hsu’s story, revealing the busted bundler as a capable manipulator obsessed with respect—and in thrall to Hillary Clinton.

Hsu inspired tremendous investor confidence for botched and often fake businesses, but it was as a fundraising rainmaker that he was most capable—extracting contributions even from Republicans. Private Clinton keepsakes, including recorded speeches, show the esteem he attached to the superstar’s trust. Hsu’s reflections shed light on the personality that wooed big spenders: “Some people are just born liars…it is their habit.”

Norman Hsu smiles at an unidentified supporter, left, as he arrives at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., Friday, Aug. 31, 2007.  Hsu, a top Democratic fundraiser wanted as a fugitive in California, turned himself in Friday to face a grand theft charge. After reports surfaced...
Norman Hsu smiles at an unidentified supporter, left, as he arrives at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. Hsu, a top Democratic fundraiser wanted as a fugitive...   (Associated Press)
Norman Hsu, left, appears in a Redwood City, Calif., courtroom Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, as he stands next to his attorney, James Brosnahan, center, as Judge Robert D. Foiles sits in the background. Hsu, a Democratic fundraiser, was ordered held without bail Friday after returning from Colorado on an outstanding...
Norman Hsu, left, appears in a Redwood City, Calif., courtroom Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, as he stands next to his attorney, James Brosnahan, center, as Judge Robert D. Foiles sits in the background. Hsu,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the San Mateo County Jail, Norman Hsu is shown.  On Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, the Mesa County sheriff released Hsu to officials from California, where he faces charges related to a 15-year-old felony theft conviction. (AP Photo/San Mateo County Jail)
In this photo released by the San Mateo County Jail, Norman Hsu is shown. On Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, the Mesa County sheriff released Hsu to officials from California, where he faces charges related...   (Associated Press)
Norman Hsu, right, prepares to surrender as he arrives with spokesman Jason Booth, center, and attorney Somnath Raj Chatterjee, left, at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., in this Aug. 31, 2007, file photo. Now in disgrace, Hsu's role as a top money bundler for Hillary...
Norman Hsu, right, prepares to surrender as he arrives with spokesman Jason Booth, center, and attorney Somnath Raj Chatterjee, left, at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., in this...   (Associated Press)
Norman Hsu prepares to surrender as he arrives at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., Aug. 31, 2007. Now in disgrace, Hsu's role as a top money bundler for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign will dog him, and Clinton, while law enforcement authorities investigate his business...
Norman Hsu prepares to surrender as he arrives at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., Aug. 31, 2007. Now in disgrace, Hsu's role as a top money bundler for Hillary Rodham Clinton's...   (Associated Press)
Norman Hsu prepares to surrender as he arrives at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. The saga of the scandal-plagued Democratic fundraiser with ties to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton took another strange twist after he mailed a suicide note last week to...
Norman Hsu prepares to surrender as he arrives at a San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. The saga of the scandal-plagued Democratic fundraiser with ties to Sen....   (Associated Press)
This photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office shows Norman Hsu in Redwood City, Calif., Friday, Aug. 31, 2007.  Hsu, a top Democratic fundraiser wanted as a fugitive in California, turned himself in Friday to face a grand theft charge. After reports surfaced this week of Hsu's fugitive...
This photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office shows Norman Hsu in Redwood City, Calif., Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. Hsu, a top Democratic fundraiser wanted as a fugitive in California, turned...   (Associated Press)
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