Now every major presidential campaign seeks out bundlers and provides them some kind of recognition and reward. Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani calls people who raise $250,000 "MVPs," and those who raise $1 million or more "team captains." Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York established a "HillRaiser" category for those who bring in $100,000 or more. Her campaign grants special status to those who raise at least $1 million.

David Rosen, a former fundraiser for Sen. Clinton, says that he has long pushed for criminal background checks in campaigns he advises, but that most don't want to pay for it. He called the level of vetting of major donors "ludicrous" because of the "wild, incredible demands" of fundraising. "Mistakes happen when people are overwhelmed, under-resourced and undertrained," he said.

She said he tried to ingratiate himself, offering to get her reservations at exclusive restaurants. "I was not impressed with [Norman Hsu]'s machinations," [Michelle Kraus] said. "We are dealing with someone who wanted to be part of the cool kids."