US Attorney Charges Former New York Governor Aide,…

US Attorney Charges Former New York Governor Aide, Husband For Alleged Ties To Chinese Government

A Bunk Bed With Striped Linen Behind Bars (Credit: RDNE Stock project/Pexels.com)

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was facing several charges for allegedly acting as an agent for the Chinese government, according to U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.

Sun, who had also worked as an aide for ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, and her husband, Chris Hu, who was also a defendant, were charged on several grounds Tuesday.

In an official statement of the United States Attorney's Office on Tuesday, FBI Acting Assistant Director Curtis mentioned that Sun acted as "an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband, Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain."

Sun faced several charges, including violating and planning to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, smuggling people into the country, and being part of a money laundering conspiracy, as detailed in an unsealed indictment.

Meanwhile, her husband was charged with being involved in a money laundering conspiracy, planning to commit bank fraud, and misusing identification, according to prosecutors. Federal investigators raided their home in July.

In the official statement, Special Agent in Charge of IRS CI New York Thomas M. Fattorusso said, "Sun is alleged to be an undisclosed agent of the PRC and CCP, using Chinese money and her influence within the state of New York to benefit the Chinese government. Sun and her husband then laundered millions of dollars for the foreign country and used the monetary benefits of this scheme to buy luxury vehicles and million dollars properties here in New York."

"It is with the unwavering determination of federal law enforcement to root-out foreign agents and their schemes that Sun and Hu will now face justice for their criminal acts."

However, both husband and wife pleaded not guilty to all charges. Sun's bond was set at $1.5 million, while her husband's bond was set at $500,000. Sun and Hu have been restricted to traveling only within New York City, Long Island, Maine and New Hampshire.

In the hearing, prosecutors claimed that the couple used fake companies, iCloud accounts, and WeChat messages (all in Mandarin) to carry out the alleged crimes.

Defense attorney Seth DuCharme spoke with the media after the hearing, saying, "We have a lot of confidence in our case. A lot of the allegations in this indictment are frankly perplexing, overly inflammatory."

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