Linda Sun, a former top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly acting as an agent of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party. Sun, 41, and her husband, Christopher Hu, 40, were taken into custody early Tuesday morning. They face multiple charges including violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The arrests follow an FBI raid on the couple’s Long Island residence in late July. According to Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, Sun and Hu amassed millions of dollars, which they allegedly used to purchase a $3.6 million home in Manhasset and a $2.1 million condo in Honolulu.
Prosecutors claim Sun used her influence to covertly advance Chinese government agendas, including blocking Taiwanese representatives from meeting with state officials and attempting to arrange a high-level visit to China. Peace asserted that Sun’s actions posed a direct threat to U.S. national security.
Sun had been employed as deputy chief of staff to Governor Hochul for a year and held various other positions in state government. Hochul’s press secretary, Avi Small, confirmed that Sun was terminated from her position in March 2023 after misconduct evidence was discovered. The Hochul administration reported her actions to law enforcement and has been cooperating with the investigation.
Before her role in the Hochul administration, Sun worked in the Andrew Cuomo administration, including a significant role in the state’s economic development branch, and previously served as chief of staff to Assemblymember Grace Meng, now a U.S. Congresswoman.
The case underscores growing concerns about foreign influence in U.S. political and governmental institutions.
