Suitably Flip

Clinton Shrine Seized From Norman Hsu's Apartment

As with so many Clinton scandals, the Hsu story has a sax angle.

Federal agents searching the Manhattan apartment of Democratic fund-raiser Norman Hsu this week seized a saxophone autographed by President Clinton, along with about 200 bottles of fine wine and Champagne.

Mr. Hsu purchased the instrument at an auction for $26,000 in October 2005, according to a representative of the American Red Cross. The auction was held during the centennial celebration for the charity's New York chapter, where the former president was also honored.

E.M. Winston, the maker of the saxophone, donated the instrument. And President Clinton, who attended the event, signed it. Mr. Clinton owns an E.M. Winston saxophone that was given to him by the late David Ginott, the company's president.

The saxophone purchase was part of an embrace of the Clintons that acquaintances said Mr. Hsu liked to display. He had a collection of photos on exhibit in his apartment, as he rose quickly to become a top supporter of Hillary Clinton and other Democrats, ultimately raising more than $1 million.

This is the Red Cross auction we're talking about.

On Thursday evening, October 20, The American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) celebrated its 100th Anniversary and honored former President William J. Clinton at a gala Centennial Celebration Ball in the World Financial Center Winter Garden in lower Manhattan.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show” spoke at the event, which featured a special performance by critically acclaimed jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and Grammy winner Paula Cole. Daniel Rodriguez, former NYC police officer, sang the National Anthem.

Top government and business leaders joined together to commemorate ARC/GNY's Centennial year. Guests included Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Councilwoman Gail Brewer, Katie Couric, Elisabeth Rohm and Vera Wang.

According to a New York social scene blogger in attendance, Clinton mentioned in his keynote not only that he and Chelsea get their news from the emcee's "The Daily Show" (shocking, I know), but that he sees China as an example of the world trending toward democracy, citing as evidence a content-regulated call-in radio show he did with the mayor of Shanghai (back in July 1998, when he and the Mrs. lit out for a 9-day tour of China as a grand jury was hearing from a woman named Linda Tripp).

If my roster is accurate, less than a week before the Red Cross event, several of Hsu's donors gave Hillary Clinton at least $17,700 (not including the 200+ Hsu-connected donors we don't yet know about).

According to the Red Cross, the event raised more than $2.3 million, including the live and silent auctions.  I wonder what else Hsu might've picked up.  Me, I would've gone for the autographed Sopranos pinball machine.

In any event, the gala must've left Hsu in a generally charitable mood, because over the next few days, he bundled nearly $14,000 for Ted Kennedy and the DNC.

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Clinton Shrine Seized From Norman Hsu's Apartment

As with so many Clinton scandals, the Hsu story has a sax angle.

Federal agents searching the Manhattan apartment of Democratic fund-raiser Norman Hsu this week seized a saxophone autographed by President Clinton, along with about 200 bottles of fine wine and Champagne.

Mr. Hsu purchased the instrument at an auction for $26,000 in October 2005, according to a representative of the American Red Cross. The auction was held during the centennial celebration for the charity's New York chapter, where the former president was also honored.

E.M. Winston, the maker of the saxophone, donated the instrument. And President Clinton, who attended the event, signed it. Mr. Clinton owns an E.M. Winston saxophone that was given to him by the late David Ginott, the company's president.

The saxophone purchase was part of an embrace of the Clintons that acquaintances said Mr. Hsu liked to display. He had a collection of photos on exhibit in his apartment, as he rose quickly to become a top supporter of Hillary Clinton and other Democrats, ultimately raising more than $1 million.

This is the Red Cross auction we're talking about.

On Thursday evening, October 20, The American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) celebrated its 100th Anniversary and honored former President William J. Clinton at a gala Centennial Celebration Ball in the World Financial Center Winter Garden in lower Manhattan.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show” spoke at the event, which featured a special performance by critically acclaimed jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and Grammy winner Paula Cole. Daniel Rodriguez, former NYC police officer, sang the National Anthem.

Top government and business leaders joined together to commemorate ARC/GNY's Centennial year. Guests included Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Councilwoman Gail Brewer, Katie Couric, Elisabeth Rohm and Vera Wang.

According to a New York social scene blogger in attendance, Clinton mentioned in his keynote not only that he and Chelsea get their news from the emcee's "The Daily Show" (shocking, I know), but that he sees China as an example of the world trending toward democracy, citing as evidence a content-regulated call-in radio show he did with the mayor of Shanghai (back in July 1998, when he and the Mrs. lit out for a 9-day tour of China as a grand jury was hearing from a woman named Linda Tripp).

If my roster is accurate, less than a week before the Red Cross event, several of Hsu's donors gave Hillary Clinton at least $17,700 (not including the 200+ Hsu-connected donors we don't yet know about).

According to the Red Cross, the event raised more than $2.3 million, including the live and silent auctions.  I wonder what else Hsu might've picked up.  Me, I would've gone for the autographed Sopranos pinball machine.

In any event, the gala must've left Hsu in a generally charitable mood, because over the next few days, he bundled nearly $14,000 for Ted Kennedy and the DNC.