Last Updated on September 7, 2024
The FBI arrested the former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, D, along with her husband for suspected foreign interference, conspiracy to defraud the US, wire fraud, immigration fraud and money laundering.
The couple is accused of leveraging their influence in the New York State government to act as unregistered agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to the Tuesday indictment.
Linda Sun had allegedly been operating as a foreign agent since 2016 under the previous administration of disgraced Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
She openly bragged to the Chinese consulate about blocking Taiwanese reps from access to either governor and worked pro-China PR for two unnamed politicians, reads the documents. She also sent unauthorized letters under the New York State letterhead inviting Chinese government officials to the US.
The defendant Linda Sun received substantial economic and other benefits from representatives of the PRC government and the CCP, including the facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions for the PRC-based business activities of Sun’s husband, the defendant Chris Hu.
The two received perks from China and the CCP, including travel, gifts and employment for one of the two’s relatives, according to the indictment.
Sun and Hu were arrested on Tuesday morning at their $3.5 million Manhasset home, which was reportedly paid for by the CCP. The indictment expands upon their extravagant lifestyle with a $2.1 million condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, a personal chef by a PRC official and a 2024 Ferrari.
Sun was the highest-appointed Asian American in Hochul’s administration. She was fired two years after the appointment in March 2023 under “evidence of misconduct.” Hochul’s press secretary, Avi Small, told NBC New York that they “immediately reported her actions to law enforcement.”
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Sun was released on a $1.5 million bond, while her husband was released on a $500,000 bond, reported ABC News. The CCP duo will appear in federal court again on Sept 25.
