Fugitive Democratic Fundraiser Turns Self in to Police

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A top Democratic fundraiser wanted as a fugitive in California turned himself in Friday to face a grand theft charge.

A judge in San Mateo County Superior Court ordered Norman Hsu handcuffed and held on $2 million bond. A bail hearing was scheduled for Sept. 5, at which the judge will consider reducing his bail to $1 million.

Hsu appeared in court here Friday following reports that he had skipped his sentencing on a 1991 grand theft charge. In the ensuing years, he became a top donor to numerous Democratic candidates, including presidential contenders Hilary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Clinton joined other candidates this week in returning thousands of dollars raised by Hsu, but the allegations distracted her campaign just as it prepared to ramp up for the intense post-Labor Day stretch.