Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu failed to appear Wednesday for a bail hearing. Hsu forfeits his request to have his $2 million bail cut in half. Hsu's lawyer said he doesn't know where his client is.

Hsu had been a fugitive in California for 15 years during which time he became a top donor to Democratic candidates, including presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Hsu pleaded no contest in 1991 to a felony count of grand theft, admitting he'd defrauded investors of $1 million in a bogus investment scam. Prosecutors say he was facing up to three years in prison when he skipped town before being sentenced.

Federal Election Commission records show Hsu donated $260,000 to the Democratic Party and candidates since 2004.