Financier Norman Hsu's Sordid Past

SAN FRANCISCO, Sep 7, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- Authorities are awaiting word on when fugitive financier Norman Hsu will be brought back to the Bay Area.

Hsu is the man who skipped out on two million dollars bail in San Mateo County Wednesday, only to be rearrested last night in Colorado, where he's now in the hospital.

He's been on the run for 12 years.

Hsu rubbed shoulders with the powerful and notorious as well.

Raymond Kwok Chow, alias "Shrimp Boy," is one of Hsu's known associates.

He was notorious gangster in Chinatown in the early 1990's, at roughly the same time when state prosecutors say Norman Hsu started his ponzi scheme with his latex gloves business.

Chow says he is now clean, and spoke with us about his relationship with Norman Hsu.

Chow dressed brazenly in white at the funeral of Allen Leung, the Chinatown business leader shot to death last year.

Chow was once one of the most feared gangsters in Chinatown.

"I grow up in crime. I grow up in the city and involved with the most crime," said Chow.

In the 1980's and early 1990's, San Francisco's Chinatown was the battleground of a bloody war between powerful gangs.

Chow's gang "Wo Hop To" finally won.

This was when Chow says he met Norman Hsu. He says Hsu dabbled in clothing, import and export and real estate. He adds Hsu was also in trouble.

"I guess he into a lot of financial problem back then and I loaned him some money," said Chow. "And I help him with my knowledge and with my strength. That's all there is."

In the early hours of August 28, 1990, Foster City Police stopped a car for making an illegal turn.

In the back seat, they found a frightened Norman Hsu. In the front were Raymond Chow and two associates.

Hsu told police he had been kidnapped.

"There was a 12 hour ordeal where there was discussions, arguments. Mr. Hsu claims he was assaulted several times and threatened," said Capt. Matt Martell, Foster City Police Department.

Hsu told police he had business dealings with Chow and there was a dispute over money.

"And what that dollar amount was, different dollar amounts ranged between $300,000 and a $1 million worth of claims," said Capt. Martell

Chow says Hsu lied, and claims it was Hsu who called him for help that night because he owed people money.

"I met him because he was in trouble, and at that time, I helping him out a lot," said Chow. "The way he told me, I mean, he being extortion, he being a lot of people tried to hurt him.

Chow and the others were arrested, but charges were later dropped when Hsu became uncooperative with prosecutors.

Now Hsu faces prison time for grand theft. Chow spent most of the recent past in prison, but he says he's changed.

"Today, Raymond, myself, I upfront to face up to all the past I have done, and to try to correct my life," said Chow.

Chow is now the chairman of the Chinese Freemasons, the position Allen Leung held before he was killed.

Chow says he's hurt that police, and even many of his fellow Chinese, believe he had something to do with Leong's murder.

We asked him for the record if he had any involvement with Mr. Leong's death.

"Oh. Mr. Leong? No," said Chow.

Allen Leong's murder is still unsolved. Police have never identified a suspect.

Chow says that alleged kidnap incident in 1990 was the last time he saw Norman Hsu.

Soon after, Hsu was and arrested and charged with grand theft.

In case you're wondering, Chow says his grandmother gave him the nickname "Shrimp Boy."

Norman Hsu Hospitalized After Fall

Norman Hsu is listed in fair condition tonight at Saint Mary's hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.

He was taken by ambulance there after falling ill on an Amtrak train bound for Denver.

ABC7 has learned that while on board, Hsu apparently fell down and in the words of a paramedic "became delirious."

Hospital officials contacted authorities, who arrested Hsu last night.

"When he is fit to leave the hospital, to be released from the hospital, he will be transported to a federal magistrate in Grand Junction. That magistrate will give him his initial appearance and advise him that he has federal UFAP charges against him. He will be ordered then transported to the northern district of California," said FBI spokesman Joseph Schadler.

It's not clear when Hsu will be transported back to San Mateo County, where he jumped bail on Wednesday.

He surrendered a week ago today after skipping out on his sentencing for grand theft charges in 1991.

Hsu surfaced in recent years as a top donor to Democratic candidates like Senator Hillary Clinton.

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