New York Governor Kathy Hochul and her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, have reacted following the arrest of a former aide on charges of acting unlawfully on behalf of the Chinese government. Linda Sun, 41, and her husband Chris Hu, 40, were taken into custody on Tuesday morning and both entered not guilty pleas during an initial court session held in Brooklyn.
Sun, who previously served as Hochul’s deputy chief of staff and held various other roles in state government, is accused by federal prosecutors of leveraging her positions to promote Beijing’s interests in exchange for substantial gifts and financial benefits, amounting to millions.
In an interview with WNYC, Hochul expressed her outrage and disbelief over Sun’s alleged actions. She revealed that Sun was terminated last year after misconduct was uncovered and that her office promptly notified authorities. Hochul voiced her anger: “It was a betrayal of trust—the trust of government, the trust of the people. The moment we discovered any misconduct, we acted swiftly by firing her and alerting the authorities.”
According to the indictment, Sun is alleged to have obstructed Taiwanese officials from engaging with the governor’s office at the behest of Chinese representatives and attempted to align state messaging with Chinese government priorities. Additionally, she sought to facilitate a visit to China for a prominent New York politician.
Prosecution claims assert that in return for her actions, Sun’s husband Hu received millions from Chinese officials, which was subsequently used to purchase luxury properties in New York and Hawaii, and high-end vehicles like a 2024 Ferrari Roma. Gifts received by Sun allegedly included tickets to performances by a Chinese orchestra and gourmet treats delivered to her family’s home.
In her WNYC interview, Hochul mentioned ongoing cooperation with the Department of Justice in this investigation, ensuring transparency and a commitment to justice. “This is absolutely shocking,” she reiterated.
A spokesperson clarified that Sun was let go in March 2023, yet further details regarding her misconduct were not disclosed. When questioned about Sun’s influence over the governor’s office, Hochul noted that her activities were evident in the indictment and predominantly occurred during Cuomo’s administration.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, attempted to downplay Sun’s role, stating she was just one among many community liaisons with minimal direct interaction with the former governor. Meanwhile, Sun’s defense lawyer Jarrod Schaeffer expressed readiness to contest the charges, stating, “Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.”
Sun, originally from China, is a naturalized U.S. citizen and has worked in New York government for around 15 years. After various roles, including a position as deputy diversity officer under Cuomo, she transitioned to deputy commissioner at the New York State Department of Labor before her departure in March 2023.
Authorities indicated that this case is part of a broader initiative by the Justice Department to identify covert agents of the Chinese government operating within the United States. In recent years, numerous Chinese nationals have been charged for acting against dissidents and furthering Beijing’s agenda in the U.S.
Critics argue that community networking groups may serve as a cover for the Chinese Communist Party to build local influence, creating ties with politicians while simultaneously repressing dissent globally.