Clinton to Return Hsu-Linked Cash
EmailHillary Clinton’s presidential campaign will refund $850,000 in donations connected to disgraced fundraiser, felon and would-be escape artist Norman Hsu. Noting weeks-old news stories that Hsu allegedly "engaged in an illegal investment scheme," Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson announced Thursday evening that "out of an abundance of caution," all money raised by Hsu for the campaign would be returned to the approximately 260 individuals from whom Hsu reportedly raised the funds. Questions had been raised in the last few days about many big contributions from Hsu’s contributors, which appeared incommensurate with the modest incomes of the individuals and families who gave them. Both Hsu and the Clinton campaign had denied any wrongdoing. Hsu, was wanted by California law enforcement for 15 years, until he turned himself in 10 days ago. Hsu posted bail, and failed to turn up to a Sept. 5 hearing. He was captured last Thursday after spending several hours reportedly trapped in the bunk of his Amtrak sleeper berth. In his statement, Wolfson also announced that the Clinton campaign plans to "institute vigorous additional vetting procedures on our bundlers, including criminal background checks." When news of Hsu’s questionable activities broke in late August, Clinton’s campaign re-gifted to charity $23,000 it had received directly from the wealthy Chinese-American fundraiser and cancelled a fundraiser he was slated to host. Several other politicians who received funds from Hsu have made similar donations.
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Hillary is as crooked as MR Hsu. She is only giving it back because he got caught.
Posted by: bob | September 10, 2007, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm
Wow! Amazing – you actually posted this story – I was betting you might just ignore this since it involves Hillary Clinton. I was just wondering if you are digging any further into the details regarding this issue or is that just reserved for Republicans or Christian Evangelicals? I would think that due to past discretions related to fund- raising irregularities in the Clinton White house this would raise questions. By your story however, I can tell you will be ignoring this line of questioning and leaving that to others. What a pathetic news organization you have turned into.
Posted by: Doug | September 10, 2007, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
If he said this on Thursday evening, why is it just now being reported? Or is that a typo?
Posted by: Brian | September 10, 2007, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm
A Clinton involved in possible criminal donations from a Chinese contributor? There is no way this could ever happen…AGAIN!!!!! Is there?
Posted by: John | September 10, 2007, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
Too much controversy with Clinton. John Edwards is a better choice for America.
Posted by: chicagopoetry1 | September 10, 2007, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
A Clinton running for the Whitehouse, taking large campaign contributions from a shady Chinese “fund raiser”? That could never happen… Again!!! Could it?
Posted by: John | September 10, 2007, 9:29 pm 9:29 pm
Clintons (Culture of Corruption)
Posted by: Watchman | September 10, 2007, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
May be it is perfect time for the Clinton campaign to look at morally challenged monies. Whether it is from lobbyist or big corporations. This issue may be dog her campaign as she is portrayed as washington insider. The mood of country given the unhapiness with the current administration may cause anyone they think is to close to big money.
Posted by: Luvofcountry | September 10, 2007, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
At least Clinton didn’t murder people the way the Bush Crime Family does. Republicans murder people, lie about it, lie about their sex lives, lie about their war profiteering, lie to their simple-minded churchgoing followers, and all you got on Clinton is this? Wow.
Posted by: Richard | September 10, 2007, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
850K from one person and a criminal to boot! Enough said!
THIRD PARTY NOW!!!
Posted by: geddesman | September 10, 2007, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm
Translation from Clintonese: We’ll talk and do business under the table later, Hsu. Too much publicity right now.
Posted by: Publius | September 10, 2007, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
Why do people idolize this sleazy woman? She’s a disgrace. She and her fundraisers would sell this country to get her elected.
Posted by: Carol | September 10, 2007, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
I stumbled here by accident, why is ABC poting this story? They starting to report all the news now?
Posted by: Truth | September 10, 2007, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm
The CLINTONS are corrupt. Let’s face it. So are the Bushes.
Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton? No!
Is Clinton “experience” meaning making same unlawful mistakes again and again?
(Remember her husband was investigated for donations from Chinese businessmen and the subsequent selling of hi-tech secrets to China.)
Please God save America.
Posted by: James | September 11, 2007, 12:04 am 12:04 am
Now let’s see… If a bank robber gives the money he robbed back,,, did no bank robbery occur? It is unreal that out of the blue with absolutely no media pressure, Hillary is doing this. It is ChinaGate #2 and my bet is the lib media will let a Clinton slide once again.
Posted by: Bill | September 11, 2007, 12:40 am 12:40 am
“850K from one person and a criminal to boot!” what are the implications of taking that much moolah from one donor? Is that allowed now?
Posted by: cdl | September 11, 2007, 12:44 am 12:44 am
This may be the just the beginning of the story.
What did Hsu want in return?
What did Hsu do to get these people to act as passthroughs for his money laundering?
What did the Clinton Campaign know and when did they know it?
We need answers.
Posted by: BSmith | September 11, 2007, 2:07 am 2:07 am
This was known last week, but you report it this week, coincidentially when the public is distracted by the General Petraeus testimony on the hill regarding Iraq. Will this continue to be your specific pattern regarding Clinton cover-ups? Why report it at all if you are trying to hide it from the public?
Posted by: Michael | September 11, 2007, 3:25 am 3:25 am
In your article, this sums up the conspiracy: “Both Hsu and the Clinton campaign had denied any wrongdoing.” And, we should take them at their word — right?
When does the FBI bring her in for questioning also?
Posted by: mas | September 11, 2007, 3:31 am 3:31 am
“At least Clinton didn’t murder people the way the Bush Crime Family does”
Were you asleep during the 1990s? How many people associated with the Clintons turned up dead under mysterious circumstances? Waaaay too many.
Posted by: Brian | September 11, 2007, 5:37 am 5:37 am
No dummie, it is bundled from 260 users. I can assure you most campaigns would have kept the money, including John Edwards. Hillary will run a clean ship, Hillary will be your next president, get used to it.
Posted by: ur2farleft | September 11, 2007, 5:41 am 5:41 am
Amazing isn’t it? The most dishonest couple ever to occupy the White House and people still back them.
Conservatives, it took me a long time to figure out because you want to believe that logic and common sense and a rational approach will educate liberals. But don’t waste your time. There have always been socialists in this country who believe we are a great nation because of government and there always will be. There will always be the cowards who even pleaded with FDR not to get involved in Europe in the late 30′s and early 40′s and there always will be.
You can’t educate them and you can’t reason with them. Best to simply ignore them. They are, for the most part, fools. Don’t try to reason with a fool.
Somebody from Chicago posted above that the ambulance chaser from North Carolina would be a good choice for this country.
I rest my case.
Posted by: Nez | September 11, 2007, 8:14 am 8:14 am
Where’s the media frenzy, the congressional outcry and the public tribunal? The fact that the major media organizations are quietly burying this story is unconscionable.
Posted by: cado | September 11, 2007, 8:28 am 8:28 am
I’m surprized Hillary didn’t blame this on a “vast right-wing conspiracy”.
Posted by: Jerry | September 11, 2007, 8:39 am 8:39 am
Let’s see…repubs hate her, for sure she must be the country’s savior.
Posted by: elfranche | September 11, 2007, 10:11 am 10:11 am
Notice how Wolfson say’s the campaign will now check donors more closely. They knew what they were getting into. No kudos to ABC for reporting this a week after the story hit.
Posted by: castra regina | September 11, 2007, 10:13 am 10:13 am
The Clinton have a long history of DIRTY MONEY….long history…THANK GOD SHE WON’T BE OUR PRESIDENT…
Richard…Clinton didn’t murder people…? Chinese embassy bombing, remember…..?
Richard Liberals a weak, they think ignoring terrorism will make it go away that why 911 happened….
Posted by: Freddie | September 11, 2007, 10:36 am 10:36 am
If there is one truth, criminals always find one another!
Posted by: geddesman | September 11, 2007, 10:48 am 10:48 am
OK People one word Enron how do you think the Clintons were elected. Hus’s should not surprise any one at all. Why don’t we take a deeper look at her books and see who else has paid for the White House
Posted by: F.H | September 11, 2007, 10:51 am 10:51 am
I bet democrats are really mad that Hsu was finaly caught. Isn’t crazy that so many of them were taking money from this fugitive? Now all of those who took the dirty money should be named, not just Hillary. Hillary’s been on the take from him for a long time. So was her husband, but the Clinton administration was all dirty to begin with.
Posted by: TexBork | September 11, 2007, 10:56 am 10:56 am
Let’s not for get the Clintons had a change to stop this with the first tower bombing and what happen Nothing it was put under the mat and the free trade act was signed and we lost thousands of American job to over seas and in return we get lead paint for our Babies to eat and play with. What Next
Posted by: Fred | September 11, 2007, 10:57 am 10:57 am
Just wonder what this shady character was buying for 850K. There’s much more to this story. Only Hillary and a few that really know the story behind this generous gift. You can smell the sink from this story all the way from California.
Posted by: Joe-California | September 11, 2007, 11:06 am 11:06 am
pls for God sake give this woman a break.she hasnt done anything wrong.she saw that the money aint worth taking thats why she returned it back.she has done what bush will have never done.
she is the best choice Americans and she can bring our honour back.Bush has done a lot of harm to us and is time we unit and defend the Good name of America.God bless America
Posted by: antaru | September 11, 2007, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Posted by: Brian | Sep 11, 2007 5:37:13 AM
You said: “No dummie, it is bundled from 260 users. I can assure you most campaigns would have kept the money, including John Edwards.”
///
Excuse me please, Brian… it is patently obvious to every other “non-dummie” reader that the “users” as you called them, are all reported as being of low-income, and DO NOT have the financial wherewithal to pony up (on average) $3269.00 each.
Therefore, your defensiveness of Mrs. Clinton is tantamount to giving her campaign a clean bill of health, just because you say so; and kindly leave Edwards out of this matter. It’s that kind of obfuscation that relieves the pressure on shady deals.
As the GEICO Goat says, “Naaahhhhh!”
P.S. Dummy is not spelled “dummie” unless you are referring to more than one, in which case you would have to add an “s” (ess).
…and which also begs the question; WHO are you calling a dummy? Clinton or Hsu?
[Vince Foster, et al - R.I.P.]
…just One Man’s Opinion
Posted by: One Man's Opinion | September 11, 2007, 11:26 am 11:26 am
As said above, this story is old, but ABC News relunctantly reports it now, claiming questions have arisen in ‘the last couple of days’. Your news organization is a disgrace.
Posted by: Dan Green | September 11, 2007, 11:33 am 11:33 am
Where are all of the “investigative reporters” who searched every inch of Pres. Bush’s past? Not one of them did the least bit of investigating on this Hsu, who appeared out of nowhere and handed out money to the democrats like it was so much candy. And, every one of them took it in the same way – no investigation into this “out of nowhere” millionaire. That was exactly what happened when Bubba was being given Chinese money for his political purposes (and God knows what else).
I am a WWII vet and former long time member of the democrat party, and was once a fairly large contributor to some of the democrat candidates, and I know the system. This kind of stuff is as criminal as it gets, and Hillary and all the rest of the donees knew it!!!
Wake up Americans! Do not let your political party alliances blind you to the greatest threat this Country has ever faced, which is being totally ignored by the democrats, and, worse than that, the democrats are now openly allied with America’s enemies (compare the recent bin Laden tape with most utterance by major democrat Senators/Reps and presidential candidates).
Posted by: Richard Manning | September 11, 2007, 11:40 am 11:40 am
I like the ABC feedback forum, but when they reluctantly put up a story which may be the least bit critical of Democrats, ABC News restricts critique to this lousy blog format.
But want to critique any of the dozen stories on Craig in the last couple of weeks? You can use the full-blown massage board where the comments can actually be seen and followed.
Posted by: Dan Green | September 11, 2007, 11:44 am 11:44 am
Where are all of the “investigative reporters” who searched every inch of Pres. Bush’s past? Not one of them did the least bit of investigating on this Hsu, who appeared out of nowhere and handed out money to the democrats like it was so much candy. And, every one of them took it in the same way – no investigation into this “out of nowhere” millionaire. That was exactly what happened when Bubba was being given Chinese money for his political purposes (and God knows what else).
I am a WWII vet and former long time member of the democrat party, and was once a fairly large contributor to some of the democrat candidates, and I know the system. This kind of stuff is as criminal as it gets, and Hillary and all the rest of the donees knew it!!!
Wake up Americans! Do not let your political party alliances blind you to the greatest threat this Country has ever faced, which is being totally ignored by the democrats, and, worse than that, the democrats are now openly allied with America’s enemies (compare the recent bin Laden tape with most utterance by major democrat Senators/Reps and presidential candidates).
Some day the truth will emerge about the strange, and as yet untold, story of the death of Vince Foster!!
Posted by: Richard Manning | September 11, 2007, 11:45 am 11:45 am
I did say republactyles.
This aims the reptilian-minded greedy thugs which rule this country and their clueless yet bloodthirsty supporters, not the moderate republican.
Posted by: elfranche | September 11, 2007, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
This is nothing new for the Clintons. Rememer what the Clintons did (and Governor Jim Guy Tucker went to jail for) with Whitewater? It was a money making scheme devised with “Straw-Buyers” just like Hsu’s massive contributions to HRC through small donors. The only reason she is “returning” the money is because the F.B.I. is looking in to it further.
Posted by: fergusdude | September 11, 2007, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
What’s more scarey that a black President? A powerful, articulate, smart, accomplished, educated woman who will held up to greater scruntiny than the secret “policy setting energy meeting” Dick Cheney had in the Whitehouse 12 days after the “election.”
Posted by: Sandra Lea | September 11, 2007, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
For heaven’s sake your item on Hillary
is of no value to anyone if you do not
tell us where she is returning the
“…illicit monies….” to.!
Is she returning it to the Mr. HSu..?
Is she giving it to her husband…?
Is she giving it to charity, then taking
a tax deduction for it?
These are the items that a good journalist would give us.
Posted by: tess | September 11, 2007, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
Give me a freaking break. You hear again and again from mainstream media, how smart and articulate this woman is!
If you ever live in communist china, you would immediately sense everything in this woman is phony, because all communist leaders are all like this: acting puppy. Everything they say is scripted to sound nobal and make it more deceitful to general public. All they do is for the good of the people, the under-privilged little ‘guy’. What liberals say and do is exactly what communists have already done: government(/party) control, divide & conque, social engeering, wealth re-distributions, religion demonlishing, gain power by all means (unit all groups regardless of whether it’s mob or gangster to over-power main enemy)…
I am scared hell of the future of this country, not because of Clintonese. It is because some half american public bought into these liberals’ garbages. They all think librals can give them something for nothing. Every one of these losers think they are victim and deserve more free ‘meals’.
It’s sad enough that the american public just can’t relate Norman jerk, his donation to dems to red china. We pretty much know this guy is nothing but a crook. Only Bob Kerrey believes he is successful immigrant’s story. Where is his momey coming from? How is this guy suddently devoted to dems to such an extent that his money goes to all levels of offices that dems are running. You look at this freak, he donated big money not only city councilman in NYC, but also city supervisor and DA in
SF which he even doesn’t reside. government.
I bet you if an independent mind person who has minimal intelligence level and has a private non-script chat with this woman, no one won’t be impressed by her attributes that can lead a great nation like this.
I guess half of americans don’t even care what the relationship between clintones and red china. They just want freebis from this women.
Amen!
Posted by: amChinese | September 12, 2007, 2:53 am 2:53 am
Does anyone not know that Hsu is funneling money into Hillary’s campaign from the Chinese Government? China wants to control US policy. They did it with Bill and now they want to buy Hillary.
She knows EXACTLY who Hsu is.
Posted by: john | September 12, 2007, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
The Republicans WORST enemies are themselves, they deluge themselves in scadals, like sex,illegal donations, Chinese connections, Political favors, payola from the Tobacco Industry, Iraq War, WMD’s, prostitution, War-for-Oil, no help for New Orleans, open borders for drugs and immigrants, Drugged out cronies, Preacheers asking the public to “assinate” a certain South American ruler….. And now, they want me to twist-up my jockies for this? The really bad part is, she’s correcting this, and if Republican want to keep up, they’ll need to do the same.
Posted by: Independent | September 18, 2007, 4:19 am 4:19 am