A former New York state official was secretly working for China, according to federal prosecutors.
Linda Sun allegedly worked on behalf of the Chinese government as an aide for current Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to an indictment unsealed on Tuesday. The Department of Justice alleges she blocked Taiwanese officials from meeting with New York officials, allowed Chinese officials to listen into a government call during the pandemic and influenced actions and policies favorable to Beijing before being reassigned last year.
Sun faces charges for failing to register as a foreign agent as well as visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy.
Chris Hu, Sun's husband, was also arrested in the alleged scheme. The FBI raided their Long Island home in July. The couple is accused of receiving gifts from China, including "Nanjing-style salted ducks," and prosecutors said they laundered payments to buy a $3.6M condo on Long Island, a $1.9M condo in Hawaii and other luxury goods.
Sun was released on $1.5M bond; Hu's bond was $500K. They both pleaded not guilty. The charges come as federal prosecutors are also believed to be probing potentially illegal ties between Turkey and New York City Mayor Eric Adams' operation.
