
(Scypre.com) – Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, faces serious federal charges for allegedly advancing the interests of China while working within New York State government. According to an indictment unsealed on Tuesday, Sun is accused of acting as an unregistered foreign agent, committing visa fraud, smuggling aliens, and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, Christopher Hu, is also implicated in the scheme, with prosecutors alleging he facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks, which they used to purchase luxury properties.
During her tenure with both the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, Sun allegedly used her position to promote Chinese interests. The indictment details her efforts to block Taiwanese representatives from accessing the governor, manipulate public statements about China, and arrange meetings between Chinese government officials and New York State officials. Her husband, meanwhile, is accused of laundering the proceeds from these illicit activities, which helped the couple acquire a $3.6 million home in Manhasset and a $1.9 million condo in Hawaii.
At their arraignment in Brooklyn federal court, both Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty. Sun appeared in a black pantsuit with a red blouse, while Hu dressed in slacks and a pale dress shirt. Prosecutors painted a damning picture of their actions, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Solomon describing the case as “no ordinary financial fraud.” The couple allegedly operated more than 80 different accounts, with much of the evidence in Chinese, including a WeChat message where Sun boasted about her efforts to enhance U.S.-China relations.
Sun was released on a $1.5 million bond, with her husband released on a $500,000 bond. As part of her release conditions, Sun is prohibited from contacting the Chinese consulate. Their next court appearance is set for September 25.
Sun’s attorneys, Jarrod Schaeffer and Ken Abell, criticized the charges as “inflammatory” and suggested the prosecution was overly aggressive. “Our client is eager to exercise her right to a speedy trial and to defend against these accusations in the proper forum—a court of law,” they stated. The couple was arrested at their Long Island home earlier on Tuesday, following an FBI search of their Manhasset property in July.
Linda Sun’s career in New York State government spanned over a decade, but it ended abruptly last year when she was fired after evidence of misconduct surfaced. Governor Hochul’s press secretary, Avi Small, confirmed that Sun’s actions were reported to law enforcement immediately after her misconduct was discovered, and the administration has cooperated with the investigation.
While Andrew Cuomo was in office, his representative noted that Sun had “little to no interaction with the governor.” Cuomo’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of national security being free from foreign influence, while acknowledging that Sun was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the subsequent Hochul administration.
The indictment reveals a series of actions allegedly taken by Sun at the behest of Chinese government officials and representatives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). These included blocking Taiwanese officials’ access to New York State officers, altering state messaging about China, and arranging meetings for Chinese delegations. In exchange, Sun reportedly received various benefits, including financial gains for her husband’s business activities in China, travel perks, event tickets, employment for her cousin in China, and even delicacies like Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a Chinese official’s chef.
United States Attorney Breon Peace condemned the scheme, stating, “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.” Governor Hochul, appearing on WNYC, expressed her outrage over the allegations, calling them “brazen” and “a betrayal of trust.” Hochul reiterated that the misconduct was reported to the Justice Department and emphasized that Sun’s time with her administration was brief, lasting only 15 months.