Clinton finance report lists refunds to 249 Hsu donors

The Beelers and Valentine were scheduled to co-host a Clinton fundraiser in Woodside on Sept. 30 with Hsu. The Clinton campaign canceled that event and held one in nearby Atherton.

Chilman, the Beelers and Valentine could not be reached for comment.

Hsu, 56, was once one of Clinton's most-valued supporters. Although unknown before 2003, by 2006 he had become a fixture at major fundraising events for Clinton-related causes, including the senator's campaign.

As word of his generosity spread, the slight, well-dressed man from Hong Kong was embraced by campaign staffers and political friends. Clinton's top campaign advisor, Patti Solis Doyle, and three associates spent a couple of nights in Las Vegas as Hsu's guests to celebrate the senator's 2006 reelection.

The friends and luminaries melted away after Hsu's activities in fundraising and business were disclosed in August and September.

Last month, U.S. Atty. Michael J. Garcia of the Southern District of New York unsealed a 16 page complaint charging Hsu with mail fraud, wire fraud and violating the Federal Election Campaign Act by reimbursing associates for their political donations.

If convicted on those charges, he could face up to 45 years in prison.

In addition to providing a look at Hsu and his operation, Monday's campaign finance report also opens a window onto the practice of bundling, in which one individual or group of individuals delivers a favored politician or party a large number of checks from others.

Federal law now limits the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate or party. But there is no limit on how much an individual can round up in smaller contributions from friends and associates, and then deliver to a favored politician as a "bundle."

tom.hamburger@latimes.com

robin.fields@latimes.com

chuck.neubauer@latimes.com

Times staff writers Dan Morain and Doug Smith and Times researchers Maloy Moore, Sandra Poindexter, Nona Yates and Janet Lundblad contributed to this report.