On Tuesday, a former aide to two New York governors was charged with acting as an illegal agent on behalf of the Chinese government. The accusations suggest that she used her various positions to advance a Chinese agenda in exchange for significant financial compensation.
The Allegations Against Linda Sun
At the request of Chinese officials, Linda Sun, who held several posts in the New York state government, most notably as deputy diversity officer under former governor Andrew Cuomo and as deputy chief of staff under governor Kathy Hochul, purportedly blocked Taiwanese representatives from having access to the governor’s office. Federal prosecutors claim that Sun also shaped New York governmental messaging to align with Chinese government concerns.
“As alleged,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace, “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.”
Both Plead Not Guilty at Initial Appearance
Both Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, pleaded not guilty to the accusations at an initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon. The pair were arrested at their $4 million home in Manhasset on Long Island, which prosecutors claim they were only able to purchase as a result of financial benefits provided by China.
It is alleged that Hu was provided with additional support for his business activities in China in exchange for Sun’s activities within her New York state government roles, which resulted in the pair’s subsequent enrichment. In addition to their Long Island home, the pair were able to purchase a $1.9 million Hawaii condominium and several luxury cars.
The FBI searched Sun and Hu’s Manhasset home earlier this year, but have not released details of the investigation.
“We’re looking forward to addressing these charges in court,” said Sun’s defense lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer. “Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.”
A Federal Effort to Uncover Secret Agents
This case is only one in a larger effort by the Justice Department to uncover Chinese government agents, an initiative which has already charged a pair of men with establishing a secret police station in New York City under Chinese government instruction. Sun’s role was apparently to prevent Taiwanese representatives from meeting with high-ranking New York officials since the Chinese government considers Taiwan to be a part of China.
It is additionally alleged that Sun argued with a speechwriter over the mention of the Uyghur genocide currently ongoing in China. As reported by AP News, “She promised that she wouldn’t let that happen, and the final speech did not mention the Muslim ethnic minority, according to the indictment.”
What Linda Sun Is Charged With
As a result of her alleged actions, Sun has been charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, as well as money laundering and aiding others in committing visa fraud to enter the United States illegally. Hu is charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of identification.
Prosecutors allege that the couple’s activity with the New York government directly opened up business deals for Hu in China, while he worked to conceal these illicit earnings from the United States government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Solomon remarked that a “multitude of shell and business entities” were used in committing these crimes. He went on to say, “This is no ordinary financial fraud.”
A spokesperson for former governor Andrew Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, suggested that Sun had very little interaction with the governor himself. He said that she “worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons.”
