Friday, September 7, 2007

Fugitive Fundraiser Norman Hsu Arrested

Last time Norman Hsu went on the lam, he managed to avoid authorities for 15 years.

This time he managed to evade the law for barely 24 hours.


SAN FRANCISCO -- Disgraced Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu was arrested in Colorado late Thursday after he failed to show up for a court appearance related to a felony theft conviction.

FBI agents took Hsu into custody at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., said FBI spokesman Joseph Schadler.

Hsu had been scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to turn over his passport and ask a judge to cut in half the $2 million bail he posted last week when he turned himself in after spending 15 years on the lam from a felony theft conviction.

Instead, Hsu failed to show up at the bail reduction hearing and a judge issued a new arrest warrant for him.

California Attorney General spokesman Gareth Lacy said Hsu's lawyers told prosecutors Hsu arrived by charter jet at the Oakland airport about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday local time and then wasn't heard from again.

When it became apparent that Hsu had fled the state, California authorities sought the assistance of the FBI, whose agents arrested him Thursday night on charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Schadler said.

Once he is returned to state custody, the federal charges will be dismissed, Schadler said.

From NBC11, more details:

FBI sources told NBC11's Jean Elle they arrested Norman Hsu in Grand Junction Colorado Thursday night.

Hsu was arrested at St. Marys Hospital, according to NBC11.

...The Grand Junction police department and the Mesa County Sheriff office assisted in the arrest.

Hsu has not been transferred to the Mesa County lock up, according NBC11.

It is not clear why Hsu was at a hospital.

Hsu went to the hospital after he got sick while traveling on the California Zephyr train, the Mercury News reported.

I think Hsu was picked up in Colorado because he wanted to be caught.

If you're a fugitive, you don't go to a hospital.

Did Hsu decide he didn't want to live the fugitive life?

Was he pressured by Democrats, Dem candidates, or some of their shadowy campaign operatives to give himself up?

Was it determined that it would be better to have him in custody than to let the speculation about the mysterious Hsu spiral out of control?

Whatever, it seems like there was a lot of indecision about the best way to handle Hsu-gate.

I think the problem is there are no good options for Hsu and his friends -- Hillary Clinton, Dianne Feinstein, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Al Franken, Ed Rendell, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

This story isn't over. It's just beginning.





No comments: