NY governor's former aide accused of secretly working for China
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A home in Manhasset, New York belonging to Chris Hu and Linda Sun. Photo: J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images
A former deputy chief of staff in the New York governor's office was arrested on Tuesday and charged with acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party.
Why it matters: The FBI and Department of Justice have been warning for years about covert Chinese efforts to influence American politics. These charges are a particularly stark example.
Driving the news: Prosecutors allege the aide, Linda Sun, altered public statements to match Beijing's preferred language, helped Chinese officials obtain travel visas, and thwarted outreach from Taiwan — all while enriching herself "to the tune of millions of dollars."
- A Chinese-born U.S. citizen, Sun, 41, worked for Democratic governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul from 2012 to 2023. She held positions focusing on Asian American affairs and business development under Cuomo and was deputy chief of staff to Hochul.
- She pleaded not guilty on Tuesday afternoon and was released on $1.5 million bond. Sun's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- A spokesperson for Hochul told Axios: "We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process."
Zoom in: Among the allegations in the indictment unsealed Tuesday are that Sun:
- Prevented Taiwanese officials from having access to the governor's office;
- Altered the language in statements praising Taiwan or referring to the persecution of China's Uyghur minority;
- Attempted to help Chinese officials gain invitations or visas to visit the U.S.;
- Arranged meetings for Chinese officials with the state government.
The prosecution also alleges that Sun and her husband Chris Hu, named as a co-defendant, "laundered the monetary proceeds of this scheme" to purchase a $3.6 million home in Long Island, a $1.9 million condo in Hawaii and a Ferrari.
- The alleged enrichment scheme involved "the facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions" for Hu's business in China. Hu also pleaded not guilty.
What's next: Their next court hearing was scheduled for Sept. 25.
