Fugitive fundraiser captured in Colorado {Hillary's Hsu }

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 9/6/7 | Jaxon Van Derbeken,John Coté

[SmithL]

SAN FRANCISCO -- 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.

A week ago, Hsu, 56, surrendered to San Mateo County sheriff's deputies in Redwood City after press accounts linked him to the earlier grand theft case. He spent a few hours in county jail before posting $2 million bail and agreeing to surrender his passport.

[Balata]

He answered an ad in the Colo. classified.

“All democrats who wish to disappear meet me in Ouray Colo. at the time of the first snow fall.” Signed Alfred Packer.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Whoa. I’m amazed.

[TASMANIANRED]

Wonder if they will let him make bail this time..

[devolve]

[doug from upland]

I just love this stuff. I wish, however, he would have been gone a few weeks, found in Honk Kong, and fought an extradition battle. I want this to stay in the paper.

[Shermy]

Makes sense.

Book’em, Dan-o

[LADY J]

Guess he'll be in protective custody.

Just hope the right people are the ones guarding him or it's bye bye Hsu - it's been good to know you!!

[AZLiberty]

After the glove business collapsed in April 1990, Hsu was kidnapped four months later in San Francisco by a Chinatown gang leader in an effort to collect a debt from him, police said. The abduction was foiled after the car they were riding in ran a red light in Foster City and was pulled over by police, who rescued Hsu, authorities said.

Ironic.

[decal]

Aw, man, that's soooo WRONG....

But you get this all the same....

[Old Flat Toad]

(Hands Doug a bag of ceremonial salt) Good luck tomorrow.

[BOBTHENAILER]

I want this to stay in the paper.

DITTO

[batter]

trying to run from Arkancide

Arkancide via cement "Hsus" on the one hand or bullet, courtesy the PRC, on the other. He better have some bloody good protection in prison.

Pass the popcorn.

[doug from upland]

[elizabetty]

I wonder if the folks who have him in custody can keep protect him from the Clinton machine.

[rockinqsranch]

“Authorities said Hsu was taken into custody at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction at 7 p.m. local time.”

Any clues anyone as to why he was at St. Mary’s Hospital?

[exit82]

Guess he didn’t make it to “The Valley” in Atlas Shrugged.

I’m glad he is caught, and the taxpayers are happy with the bail money he forfeited.

Hsu being in the news helps to set up interest in tomorrow’s Peter Paul court hearing in LA.

[batter]

BTW, great catch. Don’t see this story anywhere else.

HotAir has just caught on: Breaking: Norman Hsu captured in Colorado...nothing on Drudge, yet.

Excellent catch, indeed.

[LdSentinal]

Any clues anyone as to why he was at St. Mary’s Hospital?

"Arkancide"?

[RatsDawg]

Drudge has not updated this, I am sure it will get a siren when he does.

[PhilDragoo]

PEOPLE'S VILLAGE OF CHINA