A former New York state official, Linda Sun, who previously worked for former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Governor Kathy Hochul, was charged on Tuesday with secretly acting as an agent of the Chinese government, as revealed in a comprehensive federal indictment.
Sun, who advanced to the role of deputy chief of staff for Hochul, was arrested along with her husband, Chris Hu, at their $3.5 million home on Long Island. The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges, including money laundering and acting as an unregistered foreign agent, in a Brooklyn court.
According to prosecutors, Sun used her position in state government to further the interests of the Chinese government, including blocking Taiwanese representatives’ access to the governor’s office and shaping New York’s messaging to align with Beijing’s priorities. In return, Sun and her husband allegedly received various benefits, which they then laundered to purchase luxury properties and cars.
Sun faces multiple charges, including failure to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, while Hu is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering. Both were released on bond, with their next court appearance scheduled for September 25.
Governor Hochul’s office stated that Sun was terminated in March 2023 after evidence of misconduct was discovered, which was then reported to law enforcement. The couple’s activities have brought intense scrutiny and highlight the ongoing concerns about foreign influence within the U.S. government.
