Controversial Hmong leader hospitalized

SACRAMENTO, June 24 (UPI) -- Hmong leader Gen. Vang Pao has been hospitalized in Sacramento, where federal investigators are building a case that he plotted an illegal coup in Laos.

If investigators can prove Pao and 10 of his followers were planning to overthrow the Laotian government, such political efforts would violate the federal Neutrality Act, The Sacramento Bee said Sunday.

Investigators have accused the 77-year-old of attempting to fund the coup by asking refugees in California and Minnesota for financial assistance.

Pao and his supporters allegedly planned to raise $28 million through such efforts and use the money to help resistance fighters take action against the Communist government in Laos.

Many of the Hmong who offered financial aid to Pao said they did so thinking the money would be used for humanitarian aid.

The Bee said the legal case against the leader of the Asian ethnic group is expected to take a significant amount of time due to the complexity of the case.