Busted: Aide to Democrat governor charged with acting as 'agent' for Chinese Communists
Sep 5, 2024
ALBANY, NY - A former high-level aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a
Democrat, is facing federal charges alleging that she acted as an
unregistered foreign agent of the People's Republic of China.
A federal indictment of Linda Sun, 40, was released on Tuesday, detailing ten different criminal counts against the former top aide to the governor. Sun's husband, Chris Hu, also was charged with counts including money laundering in the 65-page indictment, according to the New York Times. Some of the charges Sun faces in the case include alien smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, according to the Department of Justice.
The indictment outlines cases in which Sun acted to block representatives of Taiwan's government from interacting with the governor, stating that Hochul didn't intend to appear supportive of Taiwanese independence. In a stark contrast, Sun allegedly provide unauthorized letters to Chinese government officials, working to facilitate their travel to the United States and meetings with New York officials.
“No meeting please,” Sun allegedly told a New York state legislator who sought to arrange a meeting between Hochul and a Taiwanese trade representative. “Kindly decline. Do not want her to wade into this China/Taiwan sensitivity."
The Chinese Communist Party has long sought to deter foreign powers from recognizing Taiwan as a de facto independent nation, instead viewing the island off its coast as a rebellious province of China.
Sun was allegedly compensated in the form of millions of dollars in transactions steered to China-based businesses linked to her husband, tickets to events, and employment for a friend who lived in China. The defendant allegedly used the proceeds from her Chinese compensation to purchase luxury homes in Long Island and Hawaii, as well as a 2024 Ferrari car.
"Sun wielded her position of influence among executives to covertly promote PRC and CCP agendas, directly threatening our country’s national security," FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie Curtis said of the indictment in a statement.
A spokesman for Hochul indicated that the office of the governor had terminated Sun's employment in March of 2023 after uncovering evidence of misconduct, according to the Times. Sun's resume includes a variety of positions in the administrations of both Hochul and disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo, with some positions emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as Asian-American affairs.
Sun had falsely claimed continuing employment with New York's Department of Labor even after her termination from the state government, according to the Times.
The arraignment of Sun and her husband is slated for Tuesday. An attorney for the couple hasn't returned comment to the crime, and the couple are yet to enter a plea in the case.
A federal indictment of Linda Sun, 40, was released on Tuesday, detailing ten different criminal counts against the former top aide to the governor. Sun's husband, Chris Hu, also was charged with counts including money laundering in the 65-page indictment, according to the New York Times. Some of the charges Sun faces in the case include alien smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, according to the Department of Justice.
The indictment outlines cases in which Sun acted to block representatives of Taiwan's government from interacting with the governor, stating that Hochul didn't intend to appear supportive of Taiwanese independence. In a stark contrast, Sun allegedly provide unauthorized letters to Chinese government officials, working to facilitate their travel to the United States and meetings with New York officials.
“No meeting please,” Sun allegedly told a New York state legislator who sought to arrange a meeting between Hochul and a Taiwanese trade representative. “Kindly decline. Do not want her to wade into this China/Taiwan sensitivity."
The Chinese Communist Party has long sought to deter foreign powers from recognizing Taiwan as a de facto independent nation, instead viewing the island off its coast as a rebellious province of China.
Sun was allegedly compensated in the form of millions of dollars in transactions steered to China-based businesses linked to her husband, tickets to events, and employment for a friend who lived in China. The defendant allegedly used the proceeds from her Chinese compensation to purchase luxury homes in Long Island and Hawaii, as well as a 2024 Ferrari car.
"Sun wielded her position of influence among executives to covertly promote PRC and CCP agendas, directly threatening our country’s national security," FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie Curtis said of the indictment in a statement.
A spokesman for Hochul indicated that the office of the governor had terminated Sun's employment in March of 2023 after uncovering evidence of misconduct, according to the Times. Sun's resume includes a variety of positions in the administrations of both Hochul and disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo, with some positions emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as Asian-American affairs.
Sun had falsely claimed continuing employment with New York's Department of Labor even after her termination from the state government, according to the Times.
The arraignment of Sun and her husband is slated for Tuesday. An attorney for the couple hasn't returned comment to the crime, and the couple are yet to enter a plea in the case.
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