Former Democratic Fundraiser Norman Hsu Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison

January 4, 2008 7:54 p.m. EST

Redwood City, CA (AHN) -- A former Democratic fundraiser who made headlines when he fled justice as a fugitive has been sentenced to three years in a California state prison.

Norman Hsu, a clothing-industry businessman once dubbed a "Hillraiser" for having raised more than $1 million for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and other Democrats, including Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Joe Biden (D-DE), was sentenced on Friday after his attorneys failed to convince the court to dismiss his 1992 fraud conviction.

He was convicted of fraud 16 years ago on six counts of wire fraud, six counts of mail fraud, and three counts of violating the federal campaign contributions law. He went on the run after pleading no contest to the charges. Hsu surrendered in August 2007, posted a $2 million bail, and went into hiding again. He was arrested a few months ago at a hospital in Colorado after attempting suicide.

Lawyers had requested Superior Court Judge Stephen Hal to dismiss Hsu's conviction because his right to a speedy trial was violated and authorities did not actively search for him while he was a fugitive. Police could have arrested him, Hsu's attorneys said, during a fundraiser in California for politicians.

Hsu is also facing fraud charges in New York. He was indicted in November by the U.S. District Court in Manhattan for defrauding investors across the country of at least $20 million in fraudulent investments, and violating the Federal Election Campaign Act by making political contributions to various campaigns including using other people's names.