A former top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been charged by the United States Justice Department with acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese government. The indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, accuses 41-year-old Linda Sun and her husband, Christopher Hu, of engaging in unlawful political activities on behalf of China and laundering millions of dollars in kickbacks.
Sun, who was appointed as Hochul’s deputy chief of staff in 2021 and previously worked under former Governor Andrew Cuomo, allegedly used her influential position in state government to benefit the Chinese government. The couple is accused of reaping significant financial rewards from their actions, using the proceeds to purchase luxury properties and vehicles.
Allegations of political influence and financial gain
According to the indictment, Sun violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by failing to register as an agent working on behalf of China. The Justice Department claims she “actively concealed” her relationship with Chinese officials and engaged in political activities that furthered Beijing’s interests while undermining U.S. national security.
Sun and Hu were arrested early Tuesday morning and appeared in federal court in Brooklyn later that day for their arraignment. Both face a series of charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and visa fraud, as well as alien smuggling.
Christie Curtis, the acting assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said in a statement, “Linda Sun, a former New York State government employee, acted as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband, Christopher Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain.”
Lavish lifestyle funded by kickbacks
The indictment details how the couple laundered millions of dollars on behalf of the Chinese government, using the funds to buy luxury properties and vehicles. Among the properties they acquired were a $4.1 million home in Manhasset, New York, and a $2.1 million condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition to these real estate purchases, they are alleged to have bought a 2024 Ferrari luxury vehicle.
Federal prosecutors accuse Hu of using a family member’s identity to open fraudulent bank accounts and of engaging in bank fraud as part of the money laundering scheme.
Facilitating chinese government influence
The indictment reveals that Sun used her position within New York State’s Executive Chamber to facilitate meetings between Chinese government officials and state leaders. She allegedly provided letters of invitation to Chinese officials, enabling them to travel to the U.S. under the guise of diplomatic business.
Additionally, Sun is accused of handing out official New York State proclamations to Chinese representatives without obtaining proper authorization. This gave the appearance that these officials had legitimate business dealings with New York State.
In contrast, Sun reportedly prevented representatives from Taiwan’s government from meeting with New York officials. This aligns with China’s “One China” policy, which denies Taiwan’s claims of sovereignty and insists that the self-governing island is an integral part of China. By obstructing Taiwan’s access to New York State leaders, Sun furthered Beijing’s political interests, according to the indictment.
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Federal response and crackdown on chinese influence
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, stated that the couple’s scheme enriched them to the tune of millions of dollars, while they purported to serve the people of New York.
“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,” Peace said in a news release.
The indictment is the latest in a broader effort by the U.S. government to combat what it perceives as growing threats from Chinese espionage and influence operations. The Justice Department has ramped up its investigations into alleged Chinese interference, particularly through espionage and political activities targeting U.S. institutions.
Recent crackdowns on Chinese espionage
The charges against Sun and Hu are part of an ongoing crackdown on Chinese interference. Just two weeks ago, on August 22, the Justice Department indicted another New York resident, who had participated in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. That individual was accused of acting as an agent for China’s Ministry of State Security, reflecting the broader concerns about China’s efforts to infiltrate and influence U.S. politics.
In 2022, federal prosecutors also charged two men with operating a “secret police station” in New York City, allegedly run by the Chinese government to monitor and suppress dissidents. Beijing has repeatedly denied such accusations, insisting that its foreign operations comply with international law and diplomatic norms.
Moving forward
As the case against Linda Sun and Christopher Hu unfolds, it is likely to fuel further scrutiny of Chinese influence in U.S. politics and government. The couple now faces significant legal challenges, and if convicted, they could serve lengthy prison sentences for their alleged roles in laundering millions of dollars and acting as agents of a foreign government.
The Justice Department’s actions signal a growing determination to confront foreign interference, particularly from China, in the political and economic affairs of the United States.
