Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, has been indicted on charges of advancing the interests of China while working in the New York State government. Sun, along with her husband Christopher Hu, faces accusations of failing to register as a foreign agent, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The couple pleaded not guilty to these charges during their arraignment in Brooklyn federal court. Sun, dressed in a black pantsuit with a red blouse, and Hu, wearing slacks and a pale dress shirt, are accused of operating a sophisticated scheme to enrich themselves while working to benefit China.
Sun allegedly acted as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government while working for both the Cuomo and Hochul administrations. Prosecutors claim that she blocked Taiwanese representatives from meeting with New York State officials and manipulated the state’s messaging on China. Meanwhile, her husband, Hu, is accused of laundering the proceeds of these illegal activities, which helped them purchase a $3.6 million home in Manhasset and a $1.9 million condo in Hawaii.
According to court records, the couple operated over 80 bank accounts, with much of the evidence presented in Chinese. One key piece of evidence includes a WeChat message where Sun allegedly told a Chinese official, “I have done many things to make the relationship flourish.”
Sun was released on a $1.5 million bond, while her husband was released on a $500,000 bond. As part of her bail conditions, Sun is prohibited from contacting the Chinese consulate. Their next court appearance is set for Sept. 25.
Her legal team described the charges as “inflammatory” and vowed to fight them. In a statement, attorneys Jarrod Schaeffer and Ken Abell said they were troubled by aspects of the government’s investigation and that Sun looks forward to defending herself in court.
Gov. Hochul expressed her outrage over the situation, calling the allegations shocking and a betrayal of trust. “I’m furious, outraged by this behavior,” she said, noting that her administration immediately reported Sun’s misconduct to the Justice Department.
Sun worked in state government for over 15 years, including serving as Hochul’s deputy chief of staff. Her employment was terminated in March 2023 after evidence of misconduct surfaced.
Prosecutors allege that Sun’s actions were directed by Chinese government officials and that she received various personal benefits in return, including travel perks and even Nanjing-style salted ducks delivered by a Chinese official’s chef. The case continues to unfold as more details are expected to be revealed in upcoming court hearings.
