Former New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun, has been charged with acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to federal prosecutors. Sun, 41, and her husband Chris Hu, 40, were arrested at their home on Long Island. The FBI had previously searched their address in July but did not provide any details at the time.
Sun is facing charges of visa fraud, alien smuggling, conspiracy to commit money laundering, while Hu is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and misuse of means of identification. Both are scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo later today.
According to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace: “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 CCP.” Peace added that their illicit scheme had enriched their family by millions of dollars.
Sun had worked in state government for approximately 15 years and held positions under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo before becoming Hochul’s deputy chief of staff. An unsealed indictment alleges that she acted as an undisclosed agent for the CCP during her tenure under both Cuomo and Hochul.
The indictment outlines various activities carried out by Sun on behalf of China’s interests including blocking representatives from Taiwan accessing Governor’s office; altering messaging related to China and CCP; obtaining unauthorized proclamations for Beijing’s representatives; attempting to arrange a trip for Politician-2 (Hochul) in China; organizing meetings between Chinese delegations and New York state officials.
Additionally, Sun is accused of providing unauthorized invitation letters from the governor’s office which facilitated illegal entry into the United States by Chinese officials who then met with U.S. government officials.
Prosecutors allege that Sun received substantial economic benefits from Beijing representatives including facilitating millions in transactions for her husband’s business activities based in China.
The Epoch Times has reached out for comments from Cuomo’s office as well as Hochul’s office and Sun’s attorney.