2 months ago
19
Linda Sun
, a former deputy chief of staff to
New York Governor
Kathy Hochul, was charged Tuesday with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government, federal prosecutors revealed in a sprawling indictment. Linda held numerous posts in New York state government before rising to the rank of deputy chief of staff for Hochul. She was arrested Tuesday morning along with her husband, Chris Hu, at their $3.5 million home on Long Island.
Sun and Hu, are expected to make an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
The 65-page indictment said Linda Sun, 41 blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to high-level officials in New York state at the behest of the China government. Linda has been accused of altering state governmental messaging on issues related to the Chinese government and attempted to facilitate a trip to China for a high-level politician in New York, among other things.
Hu is charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification, reports said.
“As alleged, 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 the CCP,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.”
The FBI searched the couple's $3.5 million home in Manhasset late July but declined to release further details at the time.
Sun worked in state government for about 15 years, holding posts in the administration of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and eventually becoming Hochul's deputy chief of staff, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Sun and Hu laundered kickbacks she received from the People's Republic of China and Chinese Communist Party to buy a $4.1 million Long Island home.
(With agency inputs)
