Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was arrested by the FBI Tuesday morning, along with her husband, Chris Hu, according to a senior law enforcement official. The couple faces a range of charges, including acting as unregistered agents of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as detailed in the indictment.
The indictment accuses Sun and Hu of using their connections with New York State government officials to influence policies and actions in favor of the CCP. Sun allegedly blocked Taiwanese government representatives from accessing the governor’s office and worked to shape the public statements of two unnamed politicians on issues significant to the Chinese government. In return, the couple reportedly received business opportunities, luxury gifts, travel perks, and employment for a relative.
The charges against the pair include conspiracy to defraud the U.S., wire fraud, money laundering, acting as unregistered agents of a foreign government, making false statements, and immigration fraud. The latter charge involves unauthorized letters sent by New York State inviting Chinese government officials to the U.S. The alleged crimes date back to January 2016.
“The illicit scheme enriched the defendants’ family to the tune of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in a statement. “Our office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.”
Sun, 41, previously worked in the Cuomo administration before joining Hochul’s office in September 2021. She was the highest-ranking Asian-American in Hochul’s administration at the time. However, her employment was terminated in March 2023 after evidence of misconduct was discovered.
The couple is accused of laundering millions of dollars, using funds to purchase a $2.1 million condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, a 2024 Ferrari, and employing a personal chef connected to a PRC official. The indictment also alleges that their $3.5 million home in a gated Long Island community was purchased with CCP money.
The arrests took place at their Long Island residence, which the FBI searched in July. Sun and Hu are expected to appear in federal court in Brooklyn this afternoon. NBC New York’s attempts to contact the couple or their representatives were unsuccessful.
Governor Hochul’s office has distanced itself from Sun, stating that her employment was terminated immediately after discovering her alleged misconduct and that they have fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
Read the indictment here.
