Politics
U.S. charges Linda Sun, former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul with acting as foreign agent for China
Sun, 40, who began working with Democratic politics in 2021, was arrested along with her husband, Chris Hu, 41, in an operation carried out six weeks after the FBI itself searched the couple's home, located on Long Island, valued at $3.5 million
September 3, 2024 5:59pm
Updated: September 4, 2024 11:51am
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday. The governor’s aide was arrested for allegedly acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party and laundering millions of dollars for the Asian country, CNN reported while citing a declassified copy of the indictment.
Sun, 40, who began working with Democratic politics in 2021, was arrested along with her husband, Chris Hu, 41, in an operation carried out six weeks after the FBI itself searched the couple's home, located on Long Island, valued at $3.5 million.
Sun faces federal criminal charges for allegedly violating the Foreign Agent Registration Act, visa fraud, smuggling, conspiracy and money laundering.
“Acting at the request of government officials and representatives of the (Chinese Communist Party), Sun engaged in numerous political activities, including blocking Taiwanese government representatives' access to high-level New York state officials,” the statement said. federal prosecutor's office in Brooklyn in a press release cited by local media.
Former Deputy Chief of Staff to NY Gov Kathy Hochul, Linda Sun, and her husband Chris Hu, are charged with acting as agents of the Chinese government.
— The Vigilante (@VigilantNews_) September 3, 2024
More to come. pic.twitter.com/NIP1yz4Ujc
The FBI and a spokesperson for the Eastern District of New York also confirmed the arrest and the couple is expected to appear in federal court in Brooklyn this Tuesday afternoon.
Sun was named Hochul's deputy chief of staff in September 2021, becoming the highest-ranking Asian American in the governor's administration. A year and a half later she left the position to serve as deputy secretary at the New York State Department of Labor.
In total, he has more than 14 years of work in the administration, with functions focused on business development, Asian American affairs, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Hu, for his part, owns a liquor store in Queens, New York, and a health supply company that he created during the pandemic.
In his case, he is accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
