Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and her husband, Christopher Hu, were arrested at their Long Island residence on Tuesday morning. Federal prosecutors have accused Sun of conspiring to promote Chinese interests during her tenure in state government.
An indictment unsealed on Tuesday charges Sun with multiple offenses, including failure to register as a foreign agent, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Hu assisted in transferring millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain.
During their arraignment in a Brooklyn federal court, both Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty. Sun wore a black pantsuit with a red blouse while Hu was dressed in slacks and a pale dress shirt.
The indictment asserts that while serving in the administrations of both Governors Cuomo and Hochul, Sun acted as an unregistered agent of China. Hu is accused of laundering illicit proceeds that enabled them to acquire a $3.6 million home in Manhasset and a $1.9 million condominium in Hawaii.
Prosecutors allege that Sun obstructed Taiwanese representatives from accessing the governor and aimed to influence public statements made by Hochul regarding China. “This is no ordinary financial fraud,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Solomon remarked during the arraignment.
According to prosecutors, the couple managed over 80 different financial accounts, much of the evidence being in Chinese. A WeChat message cited in the indictment has Sun expressing to a Chinese official, “I have done many things to make the relationship … flourish.”
Sun was released on a $1.5 million bond, while Hu was released on a $500,000 bond. As part of her release conditions, Sun is prohibited from contacting the Chinese consulate. Their next court date is set for September 25.
Federal prosecutors and the FBI had previously executed a search warrant at the couple’s Manhasset home in July. Sun had been with the Executive Chamber for over a decade before her termination in March 2023, following allegations of misconduct. Avi Small, Hochul’s press secretary, confirmed that the administration reported her actions to law enforcement and cooperated throughout the investigation.
The indictment further claims that at the behest of Chinese officials, Sun prevented Taiwanese officials from meeting state leaders, manipulated messaging about China, and facilitated meetings for delegations from the People’s Republic of China. In exchange for her actions, she allegedly received various benefits, including financial transactions for Hu’s business activities, travel perks, event tickets, business promotion for a family friend, and even culinary gifts from a chef associated with a Chinese government official.
United States Attorney Breon Peace commented on the case, stating, “As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP. The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.”