Former Aide to New York Governors Charged with Acting as an Illegal Agent of the Chinese Government
Linda Sun Allegedly Advanced Beijing’s Agenda in Exchange for Significant Financial Gains
A former high-ranking aide to two New York governors, Linda Sun, was charged Tuesday with acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government, allegedly using her state positions to advance Beijing’s interests in exchange for financial benefits worth millions. Sun, who held numerous posts in New York state government, including deputy chief of staff for Gov. Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was arrested alongside her husband, Chris Hu, at their $4 million Long Island home.
Allegations of Influence and Financial Benefits
Prosecutors allege that Sun, under the direction of Chinese officials, blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from accessing the governor’s office and shaped New York governmental messaging to align with Chinese government priorities. In return, her husband received assistance for his business activities in China. He allegedly enabled the couple to acquire luxury properties and vehicles, including a multimillion-dollar home in Manhasset, New York, a $1.9 million condominium in Hawaii, and a 2024 Ferrari.
The indictment also details smaller gifts that Sun received, such as tickets to performances by Chinese cultural groups and delicacies prepared by the personal chef of a Chinese government official. Prosecutors say these benefits are part of a broader scheme that allowed Chinese authorities to gain influence at the highest levels of New York state government over nearly a decade.
U.S. Attorney’s Statement on the Case
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace remarked on the seriousness of the charges, 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 worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP. The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to millions of dollars.”
Sun’s attorney, Seth DuCharme, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sun and Hu are expected to make their initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
Part of a Broader Effort to Combat Chinese Influence
This case is part of a larger Justice Department initiative to root out secret agents working on behalf of the Chinese government in the United States. In recent years, federal authorities have prosecuted individuals for covertly advancing Beijing’s interests and harassing dissidents on the government’s behalf. Notably, last year, the Justice Department charged two men with establishing a secret police station in New York City under the direction of the Chinese government.
Details of Sun’s Career and Charges
Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, worked in New York state government for about 15 years. She held positions in Cuomo’s administration and eventually became Hochul’s deputy chief of staff. In November 2022, she became deputy commissioner for strategic business development at the New York Department of Labor but left in March 2023.
Hochul’s office issued a statement confirming that Sun was fired after evidence of misconduct was discovered, leading to immediate reporting to law enforcement.
The indictment further reveals that Sun played a crucial role in preventing representatives of Taiwan’s government from meeting with high-ranking New York officials, in line with the Chinese government’s position that Taiwan is part of China. It also describes how Sun influenced the content of a Lunar New Year video requested by Chinese officials, ensuring that references to the “Uyghur situation” in China were omitted.
Legal Proceedings and Community Details
The FBI searched the couple’s multimillion-dollar home in Manhasset in late July, but details were not released at the time. Sun faces charges including violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, a law that requires individuals acting as agents of foreign governments to disclose their relationships and activities. She also faces charges of money laundering and aiding visa fraud. Her husband, Hu, is charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of means of identification.
Sun and Hu live in a gated community called Stone Hill, where they purchased their home in 2021. According to records, the property was placed in a trust earlier this year. A spokesman for Cuomo waited to respond to requests for comment.
This case underscores the U.S.’s ongoing challenges in combating foreign influence operations within its borders, particularly those involving high-ranking state officials. The outcome of the legal proceedings against Sun and Hu has significant implications for future efforts to address similar threats and could potentially impact U.S.-China relations.