Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was arrested Tuesday, along with her husband, Christopher Hu, for allegedly acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The arrest followed a raid by the FBI on their home in Long Island.
Federal authorities have charged Sun, 41, with several crimes, including violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, 40, faces related charges of money laundering conspiracy and bank fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York alleges that the couple laundered millions of dollars, which they used to purchase luxury properties and vehicles in the United States.
The indictment claims that Sun manipulated her position in the New York state government to obstruct representatives from Taiwan while arranging meetings for Chinese government officials. Among their luxury acquisitions were a $4.1 million home on Long Island, a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii, and a 2024 Ferrari.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace pointed out that Sun and her husband enriched themselves by advancing the interests of the CCP, in violation of U.S. law. After discovering evidence of misconduct, Gov. Hochul’s administration terminated Sun’s employment in March 2023 and has fully cooperated with federal authorities in the investigation.
This arrest brings attention to the ongoing issue of foreign interference in American government.
