Former Aide to NY Governor Kathy Hochul Arrested on Federal Charges

Linda Sun, who previously served as an aide to New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, has been implicated in promoting China’s interests during her tenure in the New York State government, according to an indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, authorities arrested Linda Sun, 40, along with her husband, Chris Hu, 41. Sun faces serious charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, immigrant smuggling, visa fraud, and violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. It is alleged that she operated on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government. Sun was dismissed by Governor Hochul last year after evidence of her misconduct came to light.

“The indictment charges Sun with failure to register as a foreign agent, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, Christopher Hu, allegedly facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain, prosecutors said,” reported ABC News.

During their arraignment in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday afternoon, “Sun and Hu each pleaded not guilty.” Sun, dressed in a black pantsuit with a red blouse, and her husband, in slacks and a pale dress shirt, faced the court. According to the outlet, Sun, while working for the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China, while her husband is accused of laundering the illicit proceeds, allowing them to purchase a $3.6 million home in Manhasset and a $1.9 million condominium in Hawaii.

Prosecutors assert that Sun sought to “shape the public statements” made by the governor regarding China, obstructed meetings with Taiwanese officials, and restricted Taiwan representatives from accessing the governor.

“This is no ordinary financial fraud,” remarked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Solomon during the court proceedings.

The prosecution also revealed that Sun and Hu maintained more than 80 different accounts. A crucial piece of evidence includes a WeChat message from Sun to a Chinese official, which allegedly stated, “I have done many things to make the relationship… flourish.”

Sun was granted a $1.5 million bond, while her husband received a $500,000 bond. Sun has since been released on bail with the condition that she has no contact with the Chinese consulate. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 25.

Sun’s attorneys, Jarrod Schaeffer and Ken Abell, issued a statement to ABC News on Tuesday evening, labeling the charges as “inflammatory.”

“We are disappointed by the filing of these charges, which are inflammatory and appear to be the product of an overly aggressive prosecution,” read the statement. “We are also troubled by aspects of the government’s investigation. As we said today in court, our client is eager to exercise her right to a speedy trial and to defend against these accusations in the proper forum—a court of law.”

Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York, along with the FBI, conducted the arrest at Sun and her husband’s Long Island home on Tuesday morning. In July, the FBI also searched their Manhattan residence.

Avi Small, Hochul’s press secretary, stated that Sun had worked for the Executive Chamber for over a decade before her termination last year.

“We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process,” Small conveyed in a statement to ABC News.

While Sun worked for former Governor Cuomo, his representative told ABC News that she had “little to no interaction with the governor.”

“National security is critical and must be free from foreign influence,” said Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo’s representative. “While Ms. Sun was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the subsequent administration, during our time she worked in a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no interaction with the governor.”

Sun’s career in state government spanned about 15 years before her dismissal from the role of deputy commissioner for strategic business development at the New York State Department of Labor last year.

Prior to that position, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Hochul and worked within the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

ABC News also reported:

The indictment alleges that, acting at the request of Chinese government officials and representatives of the Chinese Communist Party, Sun blocked Taiwanese government officials from having access to high-level New York State officers, changed New York State officers’ messaging about China and arranged meetings for visiting delegations from the PRC government with New York State government officials.

In return for these and other actions, Sun allegedly received economic and other benefits from China, including the facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions for the China-based business activities of Hu; travel benefits; tickets to events; promotion of a close family friend’s business; employment for Sun’s cousin in the PRC; and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a PRC government official’s personal chef that were delivered to the residence of Sun’s parents, according to the indictment.

“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,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.”

During an appearance on WNYC, a “furious” Governor Hochul described the allegations against Sun as “brazen,” “shocking,” and “a betrayal of trust.”