Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, faces multiple charges along with her husband, Chris Hu, the U.S. authorities announced.
Sun, who served as deputy chief of staff to both governors, has been charged with acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese government. This announcement comes amid increasing scrutiny in the U.S. regarding foreign influence operations, which China has denied.
The specific charges against Sun include violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, as detailed in a 64-page indictment. Hu, 40, is also facing charges related to money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud conspiracy, and misuse of identification.
Federal investigators raided the couple’s Long Island home in July, and Sun was dismissed from her role in the governor’s office over a year ago due to reports of suspicious activities. Both have pleaded not guilty and were released on bond, set at $1.5 million for Sun and $500,000 for Hu. They have been ordered to refrain from contacting the Chinese consulate and their travel is restricted to specific areas.
Sun has worked in state government for approximately 15 years, previously holding roles during Cuomo’s administration before becoming Hochul’s deputy chief of staff. As alleged in the indictment, Sun acted in favor of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party by facilitating unauthorized invitations for Chinese officials to visit the U.S. and meet with New York state officials.
Her actions reportedly included blocking Taiwanese representatives from engaging with high-ranking officials in New York, altering public messaging regarding Uighur detentions, and ensuring Cuomo expressed gratitude towards China for sending medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic while sidelining Taiwan’s contributions.
The couple is accused of benefiting significantly from these influence operations, with claims they orchestrated lucrative business deals for Hu’s company and acquired luxury properties, including a $4.1 million home and a $2.1 million condominium in Honolulu, allegedly funded by their actions.
Reactions to the allegations have varied. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, dismissed the claims and pointed out that many similar cases have previously collapsed. Hochul expressed her shock and described Sun’s actions as a betrayal of trust, emphasizing that her office acted swiftly upon discovering misconduct.
The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China have led to a cycle of accusations regarding espionage and influence operations, with both nations ramping up scrutiny of foreign affiliations. The international discourse remains charged as both powers bolster their defenses against perceived threats, exemplified by recent comments from U.S. intelligence officials regarding the heightened focus on countering Chinese influence.