The FBI has arrested Linda Sun, former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on charges of acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese Communist Party.
According to a Daily Mail report, Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were taken into custody following a raid on their $4.1 million home in Manhasset, Long Island.
Federal prosecutors allege that Sun used her position in the New York state government to benefit China and the Communist Party while enriching herself and her family. The 41-year-old is accused of blocking Taiwanese government representatives from accessing high-level New York State officials and altering messaging on issues involving the Chinese Communist Party.
Allegations Of Illicit Gains And Luxury Purchases
Sun allegedly used the proceeds from her illegal activities to purchase luxury items, including the Manhasset mansion, a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii, and a 2024 Ferrari. Prosecutors claim that Sun and her husband engaged in money laundering to conceal the source of these funds.
The couple's bond was set at $1.5 million for Sun and $500,000 for Hu. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges and were subsequently released.
US Attorney Breon Peace stated that while Sun appeared to serve New York residents in her role as Deputy Chief of Staff, she and her husband were actually working to further the interests of the Chinese government and the Communist Party.
Sun's Career In New York State Government
Linda Sun's career in state government spanned nearly 15 years, beginning in 2009 as chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Grace Meng. She later held various positions in former Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration from 2012 onwards.
In September 2021, Sun was appointed as deputy chief of staff for Governor Hochul. However, her tenure in this role lasted only about 15 months. She then briefly worked at the New York Department of Labor before departing in March 2023.
A spokesperson for Governor Hochul's office stated that Sun was terminated after the discovery of misconduct. The statement read:
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.
Alleged Benefits And Connections To China
The 63-page indictment claims that Sun received various benefits from her alleged activities, including assistance for her husband's China-based business ventures and undisclosed tickets to performances by visiting Chinese cultural groups.
Among the more unusual allegations, prosecutors claim that a Chinese government official's personal chef prepared "Nanjing-style salted ducks" that were delivered to Sun's parents' home.
The case against Sun and her husband highlights ongoing concerns about foreign influence in American politics and government. It also raises questions about vetting processes for high-level government positions and the potential vulnerabilities within state administrations to foreign interference.
Conclusion
The arrest of Linda Sun, former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on charges of acting as an undisclosed Chinese agent has sent shockwaves through the state's political landscape.
The allegations of using her government position to benefit China while enriching herself with luxury purchases have raised serious concerns. As the legal process unfolds, this case is likely to prompt increased scrutiny of foreign influences in state-level politics and stricter vetting procedures for government officials.
