Chung, who runs a broadcast fax business in Torrance, California, is the first Asian-American fund-raiser to publicly testify about his dealings with elite Chinese business and political figures.

CNN: Chung testimony: I'm not a Chinese agent

People familiar with the matter say that British officials in the region were aware of Mr. Heywood's close ties to Mr. Bo, who was the Chongqing Communist Party chief and a political rising star, as the Briton had advised many British businesses, attended embassy functions in Beijing and participated in meetings with British business and political figures.

WSJ: U.K. Officials in China Expressed Early Concern About Death

Mr. Lopez has joined Ms. Longoria and other influential political and business figures to form the Futuro Fund, a Hispanic organization that initially raised money for the president's campaign, and now advocates for Latino issues.

WSJ: Eva Longoria's Next Role: Hispanic Activist in Washington

Now, if someone was seen as an acceptable figure by business, political and education figures, many of whom support both Democrats and Republicans, should Obama be faulted for sitting on a board with the guy?

CNN: Commentary: Why Ayers case is risky for McCain-Palin

Although most of my participants are business men and women, most of the videos are of political figures, such as The Kennedy-Nixon debate and public appearances by Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, both Presidents Bush, and Barack Obama.

FORBES: Obama and the Debt Crisis

At the apex of the business are around 15 kingpins, who mostly have no direct links to the business of smuggling but use political influence to ease the movement of drugs and protect figures lower down the chain.

ECONOMIST: Afghanistan's opium poppies

The Second Global Private Donor Forum took place at the margins of COP10 in Nagoya, gathering prominent figures from diverse sectors, including business, private foundations and the international political platform.

FORBES: The Future of Life On Earth: A Two-Part Discussion