A former top aide to New York Govs. Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo has been arrested on charges of working as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Linda Sun, 41, and her husband, Christopher Hu, 40, were taken into custody following an FBI raid on their Long Island home.
Sun faces charges including violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Hu is charged with money laundering conspiracy and bank fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the couple allegedly laundered millions of dollars to benefit the Chinese government, using the funds to buy luxury properties and vehicles.
The indictment also alleges that Sun blocked representatives from Taiwan from meeting with New York state officials while arranging meetings for Chinese government officials. The couple reportedly used the illicit funds to purchase a $4.1 million home in Long Island, a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii, and luxury vehicles like a 2024 Ferrari.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated that the defendant and her husband worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP, enriching themselves in the process. He emphasized the importance of the federal effort to combat foreign influence in American politics.
Gov. Hochul’s administration acted swiftly upon discovering evidence of Sun’s misconduct, terminating her employment in March 2023 and cooperating fully with law enforcement.
This arrest underscores the need for continued vigilance in protecting U.S. institutions from foreign influence and ensuring that public officials serve the interests of the American people.
