MANHASSET, N.Y. (TND) — FBI officials on Tuesday arrested a former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on federal charges, a spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York told The National Desk (TND).
Linda Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were taken into FBI custody at their home on Long Island, New York. Sun is accused of working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Republic of China.
She faces a variety of charges, including visa fraud, money laundering conspiracy and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Hu was charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of means and identification.
The two will be arraigned in federal court Tuesday afternoon.
As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.”
Sun served in the administrations of Gov. Hochul and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Her roles in those administrations included deputy chief of staff, deputy chief diversity officer and director of Asian American affairs.
She later worked as campaign manager for Democratic U.S. House candidate Austin Cheng, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Representatives for both Gov. Hochul and Cuomo did not respond to requests for comment from TND via email Tuesday.
The FBI in July raided Sun’s Manhasset home, according to NBC New York. The agency confirmed to TND at the time it carried out “court-authorized law enforcement activity” in the town, but declined further comment.
In April 2022, then-New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested in a federal corruption investigation where he was accused of campaign finances fraud. Benjamin resigned shortly after, just seven months after Gov. Hochul selected him for the role.
FBI officials also raided two homes belonging to a staffer for New York City Mayor Eric Adams in March. That individual served as a former fundraiser for the mayor before becoming the director of Asian affairs, the Associated Press reported.
Ex-Hochul and Cuomo aide and husband worked as foreign agents for China, splashed out millions on mansion, Hawaii condo, and Ferrari
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s former Deputy Chief of Staff has been hit with shocking charges, accused of secretly serving as an agent for the Chinese government.
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) September 3, 2024
The indictment reveals that she actively pushed CCP agendas within the state government, even going so far as to bar… pic.twitter.com/dIRj9hjItB
