US: Former aide to New York governor accused of working as ‘secret agent’ for China

Linda Sun, a former aide to former New York governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, has been charged with working as a “covert agent” for the Chinese government, CNN reported, citing a statement by US Attorney Brion Peace.

Linda Sun, who served as deputy chief of staff to both governors, faces multiple charges, including violating and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, smuggling and money laundering, according to a sealed copy of the indictment.

Her husband and co-defendant, Chris Hu, also is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud and misuse of identification means, prosecutors said.

In July, his/her home was raided by federal investigators, CNN reported, citing sources.

Prosecutors said Sun “acted as an unidentified agent of the Chinese government while her husband Hu facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in bribes for personal gain.”

Sun and Hu were arrested at their Long Island home on Tuesday morning.

Linda Sun and her husband Hu denied all charges in federal court on Tuesday. The judge set bail at US$1.5 million for Sun and US$500,000 for Hu, and restricted travel for both to New York City, Long Island, Maine and New Hampshire.

During the trial, prosecutors cited the couple’s alleged use of secret communications methods and shell companies to carry out their crimes.

The defendants allegedly used iCloud accounts, WeChat messages written in Mandarin and other methods to conceal their activities, prosecutors claimed.

“We’re very confident in our case,” defense attorney Seth DuCharme told reporters Tuesday after the hearing.

“Many of the allegations in this indictment are frankly confusing and highly inflammatory,” he/she said. “As you heard in court today, we are eagerly awaiting our day in court. The defendants are exercising their right to a speedy trial as soon as possible; we have great confidence in Chris and Linda.”

his/her next status conference is scheduled for Sept. 25.

Sun “was appointed by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated his/her employment in March 2023 after we found evidence of misconduct, immediately reported his/her actions to law enforcement, and assisted law enforcement throughout the process,” Hochul’s press secretary, Evie Small, said in a statement to CNN.

Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in a statement that national security “must be free of foreign influence,” adding, “While Ms. Sun was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in subsequent administrations, during our time there she worked in a handful of agencies and was one of several community liaisons who had little or no contact with the Governor.”