Former aide to NY Gov. Kathy Hochul accused of being a Chinese agent

On September 3, a former high-ranking aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Linda Sun, and her husband, Chris Hu, were arrested at their Long Island residence. They face serious allegations concerning inappropriate connections with the Chinese government, according to court documents.

Linda Sun, who previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff under both Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, was taken into custody by FBI agents. The couple was arrested in the morning at their North Shore home located on a cul-de-sac.

Sun, aged 40, is accused by U.S. prosecutors of misusing her position in the governor’s office to influence New York’s policies in favor of the Chinese government and Taiwan. The indictment, which was unsealed on the day of their arrest, states that the couple allegedly received benefits totaling millions of dollars.

Both Linda Sun and Chris Hu, 41, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Sun has been charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, along with counts of visa fraud, money laundering, and alien smuggling. Meanwhile, Hu faces charges including money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of identification.

Sun was released on a bond of $1.5 million, under strict conditions that prohibit her from any contact with Chinese officials. Hu was released on a $500,000 bond. The couple will be limited to travel within the New York City area and their Long Island home, as well as Maine and New Hampshire.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace remarked that, rather than serving the public interest, Sun and her husband allegedly worked to advance the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while holding positions in government.

Prior to their arrest, the FBI conducted a raid on their $3.5 million home in Manhasset earlier in July, although the reasons for the investigation were not disclosed at that time.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn later sought to unseal the indictment against Sun and Hu, which confirmed their arrests that day. U.S. Attorney Peace asserted that the couple’s alleged scheme allowed them to enrich themselves considerably, pocketing millions of dollars.

Linda Sun’s stint in state government spanned over 14 years, during which she held various positions even after Cuomo’s resignation in 2021 amid sexual misconduct allegations. After serving approximately 15 months in Hochul’s administration, she transitioned to the state’s Labor Department.

According to U.S. officials, Sun and Hu are accused of laundering funds to acquire a $2.1 million condominium in Hawaii, among other luxury purchases. The indictment details how Sun reportedly utilized her official positions for personal benefits.

The allegations further indicate that in exchange for these favors, the Chinese consulate allegedly provided Sun and her family with gifts, including show tickets, concert passes, and even more exotic gifts like salted ducks prepared by an official chef.

It is claimed that Sun leveraged her role to obstruct access to the governor’s office for Taiwanese officials, secured official proclamations for individuals linked with the Chinese government, and attempted to arrange trips to China for high-ranking New York politicians.

Additionally, both Sun and Hu reportedly enjoyed numerous gifts from Chinese officials during their tenure.

Chris Hu is known to own several businesses. This includes Leivine Wine & Spirits, a liquor store located in Flushing, Queens. He also heads Medical Supplies USA LLC, a company he founded during the early pandemic days, along with other companies such as Golden Capital Group LLC and LCA Holdings LLC.

Initially, officials clarified that Sun’s arrest was unrelated to her previous work in the state government capital, Albany. After misconduct evidence surfaced in 2023, she was dismissed from her position as deputy commissioner for strategic business development in New York’s Department of Labor.

Avi Small, Hochul’s press secretary, commented that Sun had been part of the executive chamber for more than a decade and emphasized that her employment was terminated following the discovery of misconduct, which was reported to law enforcement.