Linda Sun, a former senior aide to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, has been charged with acting as a secret agent for the Chinese government, according to US authorities.
Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, face multiple charges, including violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy.
Sun, 41, served as the deputy chief of staff to Governor Hochul and held various positions in state government over 15 years. Her alleged activities involved using her positions to further the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to federal prosecutors. The indictment accuses her of securing unauthorized invitations for Chinese officials, blocking Taiwanese representatives from meeting with New York state officials, and influencing public messaging on issues critical to China.
Federal investigators raided the couple’s Long Island home in July 2024, and both Sun and Hu have pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were released on bond, with travel restrictions limiting their movements to New York City, Long Island, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Sun and Hu are accused of using their influence to secure millions of dollars in business deals for Hu’s company, which allegedly enabled them to purchase luxury properties and vehicles. The couple reportedly bought a $4.1 million home on Long Island and a $2.1 million condominium in Honolulu, along with a 2024 Ferrari, using funds linked to these deals.
The case comes amid heightened scrutiny in the US regarding foreign influence operations, particularly those involving China. The Chinese government has dismissed the charges, with a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, criticizing the US for what he described as “groundless slandering” of China.
Governor Hochul expressed shock and outrage at the allegations, describing Sun’s actions as a “betrayal of trust.” Hochul stated that Sun was terminated from her position in March 2023 after misconduct was discovered and that her office promptly reported the issue to law enforcement.
FOX News, CNN and Al Jazeera contributed to this report.
