Linda Sun
Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was charged on Tuesday for allegedly acting as a secret agent for the Chinese government in exchange for millions of dollars in compensation and luxurious gifts, such as gourmet meals featuring Nanjing-style salted duck.
The charges against Sun come as part of a broader U.S. crackdown on individuals accused of working on behalf of foreign adversaries, including China and Russia, without proper registration as required by law.
According to Reuters, Sun, aged 41, and her husband, Chris Hu, aged 40, were both arrested on Tuesday morning and subsequently pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges during their appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in Brooklyn.
Federal prosecutors claim that while Sun was working in the New York state government, she used her position to block representatives from the Taiwanese government from meeting with New York officials.
Furthermore, she allegedly attempted to facilitate a high-level New York state official’s visit to China, which prosecutors assert was part of her covert activities in support of the Chinese government.
In exchange for her actions, Chinese government representatives are alleged to have arranged for millions of dollars in transactions to benefit her husband, Chris Hu, who was engaged in business activities in China.
The money they received was reportedly used to purchase luxury items, including a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports car and properties on Long Island, New York, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, valued at around $6 million.
In addition to the financial compensation, Sun and her family were also provided with special gifts, such as gourmet Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a personal chef of a Chinese government official and delivered directly to Sun’s parents’ home.
Governor Hochul’s office, however, was not implicated in any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the governor confirmed that Sun was fired in March 2023 after evidence of her misconduct was discovered.
Hochul’s office reported the findings to the authorities immediately and has been cooperating with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
Judge Kuo set Sun’s bail at $1.5 million and her husband’s at $500,000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 25.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Sun’s lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, stated that his client was “understandably upset” by the charges brought against her.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington did not comment on the matter when contacted.
Linda Sun had been serving as Hochul’s deputy chief of staff since September 2021 and had previously worked in various state agencies.
She now faces eight counts, including failure to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Her husband, Hu, faces three counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
This case follows a series of similar prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice, which has increased efforts to target individuals accused of operating covertly on behalf of foreign powers.
Just last month, Chinese academic Wang Shujun was convicted in federal court in Brooklyn for collecting intelligence on New York-based activists advocating for democracy in China and sharing this information with Beijing.
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