Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, has been charged with multiple offenses alongside her husband, Chris Hu, according to US authorities.
Sun, who served as deputy chief of staff for both Hochul and Cuomo, is accused of acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese government. This legal action comes amid increasing concern in the US regarding foreign influence operations, which China has denied involvement in.
The charges against Sun, who is 41 years old, include violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Her 40-year-old husband, Hu, faces charges related to conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and misuse of identifying information. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Federal investigators conducted a raid on the couple’s Long Island home in July, following over a year of Sun’s termination from the governor’s office after reports of unusual activities emerged. They were released on bond, set at $1.5 million for Sun and $500,000 for Hu, and are prohibited from contacting the Chinese consulate and embassy.
Sun’s employment history reveals 15 years in state government, where she transitioned from Cuomo’s administration to Hochul’s team. She allegedly engaged in activities to promote Chinese government interests, such as securing unauthorized invitation letters that allowed Chinese officials to meet with New York state representatives.
Prosecutors claim Sun obstructed Taiwanese representatives from interacting with high-ranking officials and influenced messaging related to Taiwan and the COVID-19 pandemic. She allegedly ensured Cuomo publicly thanked Chinese officials for medical supplies while blocking Taiwan’s efforts for acknowledgment.
Financially, Sun and Hu are accused of benefiting significantly from their influence, securing business deals for Hu’s China-connected company. They reportedly purchased a $4.1 million home and a $2.1 million condo in Honolulu, and acquired several luxury vehicles as part of this operation.
In response to the allegations, a Chinese embassy spokesperson dismissed the claims as unfounded, recalling similar past accusations that lacked substantiation. New York Governor Hochul expressed her shock, labeling Sun’s actions as a betrayal of trust and confirming her office acted promptly upon discovering misconduct.
Accusations of espionage between the US and China are longstanding, with both nations frequently trading allegations of interference and influence. As tensions rise, recent events highlight the intensified scrutiny on suspected foreign agents, particularly in the realms of military and technology sectors.