Former New York Governor’s Assistant Charged with Being China’s Agent

Former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been charged with acting as an agent of the Chinese government.

Linda Sun, 41, “acted at the behest, direction or request” of China during her 14-year career in state government in exchange for millions of dollars, a federal indictment alleges. Her husband, Christopher Hu, is also charged with being a Chinese agent.

The couple were arrested at their $3.5million (£2.7million) Long Island home on Tuesday, months after it was searched as part of an FBI investigation.

Ms. Sun was fired nearly two years ago after the office of Ms. Hochul, who took over as governor in 2021, discovered “evidence of misconduct” and reported it to authorities.

The couple was scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on charges of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, importing aliens and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors say Ms Sun acted as an “undisclosed agent of the Chinese government” and her husband “facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in bribes for personal gain”.

She is accused of preventing Taiwanese government officials from speaking to New York officials, providing unauthorized invitations to the U.S. to Chinese officials and changing the way government officials communicated information about China.

Christie Curtis, the acting deputy director of the FBI, said Ms Sun “used her position … to covertly promote” Chinese plans that “directly threaten our country’s national security”.

In return, prosecutors say, Ms. Sun received millions of dollars in rewards. They also received show tickets, travel and food, including meals of Nanking-style salted duck, according to the indictment.

The indictment says the pair laundered large sums of money to buy luxury goods, including a Ferrari sports car and real estate in Hawaii and New York.

“This illegal activity has generated millions of dollars in wealth for the defendant’s family,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.

The indictment says Mr. Hu operated several businesses in New York, including a seafood exporter, a wine shop and a financial advisory firm, and frequently used the services of an authorized Chinese government freight agent.

Since 2012, Ms. Sun has held several senior positions in state executive organs and state agencies. She was Ms. Hochul’s deputy chief of staff for almost a year before being fired in 2023.

The governor’s office said Ms. Sun was originally hired by the previous administration of Andrew Cuomo, who left in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment.

“This individual was employed by the executive more than a decade ago,” a BBC spokesman said.

“We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement, and assisted law enforcement throughout this process.”

In July, the FBI raided the couple’s home, which was valued at $3.5m (£2.7m).