Federal prosecutors revealed in an indictment on Tuesday that a former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) allegedly acted as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York released the details in a press release.
Linda Sun, 41, of Manhasset, New York, and her husband, Christopher Hu, 40, were arrested Tuesday morning at their $3.5 million Long Island home. Sun, who held various roles within New York state government, eventually rose to become Governor Hochul’s deputy chief of staff.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Sun allegedly acted on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). She is accused of actions such as blocking Taiwanese government representatives from meeting with high-level New York state officials, altering state government communications on issues related to China, and attempting to arrange a trip to China for a senior New York politician, among other activities.
Sun faces charges of violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Her husband, Christopher Hu, is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of means of identification, according to federal prosecutors.
“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 U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars. Our Office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.”
FBI Acting Assistant Director James Curtis added that while Sun was serving as an agent for the PRC and CCP, Christopher Hu “facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain.”
“Sun wielded her position of influence among executives to covertly promote PRC and CCP agendas, directly threatening our country’s national security,” Curtis alleged.
An IRS investigation also claimed that Sun and Hu laundered millions of dollars for the Chinese government and used the proceeds to purchase luxury vehicles and million-dollar properties in New York.
Sun worked in state government for nearly 15 years, holding positions in the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) and later becoming Hochul’s deputy chief of staff, according to her LinkedIn profile. In November 2022, she accepted a role as deputy commissioner for strategic business development at the New York Department of Labor, but resigned in March 2023, just a few months later.
A spokesperson for Governor Hochul’s office stated, according to the AP, that Sun was fired after “discovering evidence of misconduct.”
“This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. 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,” the office said.
Sun and Hu are set to be arraigned later today before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.