Wealthy Pakistani-American To Host Joe Biden At Lavish Los Angeles Fundraiser

The Bel-Air home of Shoukat Hussain Ali.

Vice President Joe Biden will spend this Friday at the California home of Shoukat Hussain Ali, a wealthy Pakistani-American businessman and Democratic donor who is hosting what appears to be his first fundraiser for President Barack Obama.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, tickets are going for $10,000 a head.

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Ali owns a palatial 7-bed, 8-bath residence in the tony Bel-Air neighorhood of Los Angeles, home to mostly Hollywood stars and business moguls. According to Zillow, the home's market value is nearly $5.3 million, and Ali's rent is estimated to be more than $43,000 a month.

While Friday appears to be Ali's first major fundraiser, he has already raised thousands for the Democratic party.

In the 2012 cycle alone, Ali raised at least $5,000 for President Obama, $2,000 for California Rep. Brad Sherman, $1,000 for California Senator Dianne Feinstein and $500 for Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich. In total, he has donated about $56,000 to state and federal candidates since 1990, according to the Center for Responsive Politics and National Institute on Money in State Politics.

Arline Bolin, the realtor who sold Ali the land for his home, says Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is a frequent guest.

It is unclear how Ali made his wealth. His political donations are registered under the company name "Ali's Enterprises," a business located in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, which is pictured below.

On FEC filings, Ali has at times listed himself as a 7-11 owner, or as "self-employed." It is unclear whether Ali owns a single 7-11 store, or a number of franchises.

Bolin says Ali is known in the neighborhood as "a very good businessman."

But like many donors in the 2012 presidential election, Ali has no interest in speaking to the media. When reached by Whispers, Ali said "I don't want to talk to you," and abruptly hung up the phone.

Last month, when reporters at the New York Times attempted to understand the source of a similarly secretive donor's wealth, the donor disappeared altogether.

Elizabeth Flock is a staff writer for U.S. News & World Report. You can contact her at eflock@usnews.com or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Seth Cline is a reporter with U.S. News & World Report. Contact him at scline@usnews.com or follow him on Twitter.

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