Clinton. And his collector's taste and eye were on display Wednesday, when federal authorities unsealed documents showing they have seized more than 180 bottles of pricey wine from Hsu's New York apartment, as well as a saxophone believed to have been autographed by former President Clinton. Experts valued the wine collection -- which includes dozens of bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and vintage Cristal champagne, as well as California wines such as Opus One -- at up to US$100,000.
"I wish I had this collection," Robert Yetman, a wine-industry consultant and professor at the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management, said wistfully. "It's a little showy but nice."
Per Holberg, director of acquisitions for Vinfolio, a San Francisco company that sells fine wine to collectors, called Hsu's selections classic -- the choices of "a true bon vivant."
Until recently, Hsu, 56, traveled in glittering circles as one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's most prolific supporters, raising more than US$1.2 million for the New York Democrat and other Democratic candidates in the past three years.
In August, however, the Los Angeles Times revealed he was a fugitive, wanted in connection with a 1991 theft case. Since then, federal prosecutors have accused the Hong Kong native of masterminding a US$60 million Ponzi scheme and breaking election laws by reimbursing associates for political donations made in their names.
Hsu also has been sued by investors in Southern California and New York who say he defrauded them and, in some cases, pressured them to make campaign contributions.
Hsu is being held without bail in San Mateo County (Calif.) jail, where he is likely finding the beverages below his usual standards, judging by the contents of his wine refrigerator.
It was unclear how Hsu acquired the saxophone. Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for Hillary Clinton's campaign, said Bill Clinton had signed many instruments that have been sold to benefit charities or party organizations.
