Former Aide to New York Governor Charged with Unlawful Activities for China

The U.S. Justice Department has charged Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, with engaging in unlawful activities on behalf of the Chinese government. Sun, 41, and her husband Christopher Hu, 40, are accused of using her government position to benefit China and amass personal wealth.

Federal prosecutors unveiled the indictment on Tuesday, alleging Sun violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act by acting as an undisclosed agent for China. Sun and Hu allegedly laundered millions of dollars, using the funds to purchase luxury properties in New York and Hawaii, as well as a Ferrari. The indictment also claims Sun facilitated visa fraud, alien smuggling, and arranged unauthorized meetings between Chinese officials and New York State leaders, while obstructing Taiwanese representatives.

Both Sun and Hu were arrested and arraigned in Brooklyn federal court. The charges are part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to combat perceived national security threats from China, following similar cases of alleged Chinese interference in the U.S. Sun left her position in the New York governor’s office in 2022.