Former Aide to New York Governor Charged with Being a Chinese Agent: A Shocking Allegation

Former Aide to New York Governor Charged with Being a Chinese Agent: A Shocking Allegation

Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government. The charges, outlined in a sprawling indictment, allege that Sun, at the request of Chinese officials, blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from accessing the governor's office, shaped New York's messaging to align with China's priorities, and attempted to facilitate a trip to China for a high-level New York politician.

The indictment also claims that Sun, along with her husband Chris Hu, received benefits in return for her actions, including help for Hu's China-based business activities and tickets to performances by Chinese orchestra and ballet groups. The couple is also accused of laundering the financial proceeds of their activities, using the money to buy a $3.5 million home on Long Island, a condominium in Hawaii, and luxury cars including a Ferrari.

A Pattern of Influence

The indictment details a series of exchanges Sun had with Chinese Consulate officials in New York in January 2021, when Andrew Cuomo was still governor and Hochul was lieutenant governor. After Chinese officials requested a Lunar New Year video from the governor, Sun allegedly said Hochul could probably do it and asked for “talking points of things you want her to mention.”

“Mostly holiday wishes and hope for friendship and cooperation / Nothing too political,” an official reportedly told her.

Sun later told a different official that she had argued with Hochul's speechwriter over a draft because the speechwriter insisted on mentioning the "Uyghur situation" in China. She promised that she wouldn't let that happen, and the final speech did not mention the Muslim ethnic minority, according to the indictment.

Immediate Termination and Investigation

The FBI searched Sun and Hu's home in Manhasset in late July, but details were not released at the time. Sun worked in state government for about 15 years, holding jobs in Cuomo's administration and eventually becoming Hochul's deputy chief of staff. She left her position in March 2023. In a statement, a spokesperson for Hochul's office said the administration fired Sun after “discovering evidence of misconduct.”

“This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. 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,” the statement reads.

Sun and Hu are expected to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon.