Former Aide to New York Governor Charged With Acting as Agent for Chinese Government

A former top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been charged with secretly acting as an agent of the Chinese government in exchange for millions of dollars and lavish gifts, including gourmet duck. Linda Sun, 41, and her husband, Chris Hu, 40, both pleaded not guilty to multiple federal criminal charges during a court appearance on Tuesday in Brooklyn.
Federal prosecutors allege that Sun, while working in state government, blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with New York officials and attempted to arrange a visit to China by a high-ranking state official. In return, Chinese government representatives allegedly facilitated millions of dollars in financial transactions for Hu, who had business activities in China. The couple is accused of using the money to purchase a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports car and property in New York and Honolulu valued at around $6 million.
Court documents reveal that among the gifts Sun received were meals of Nanjing-style salted duck prepared by a Chinese government official's personal chef and delivered to the home of Sun's parents. The indictment further alleges that Sun violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act by acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband facilitated kickbacks for personal gain.
Governor Hochul was not implicated in any wrongdoing. According to a spokesperson for the governor, her office fired Sun in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, promptly reported her actions to the authorities, and has since cooperated fully with law enforcement.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo set Sun’s bond at $1.5 million and Hu’s at $500,000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 25. Sun’s lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, told reporters that his client is "understandably upset" by the charges and expressed confidence in her defense, calling the allegations "perplexing" and "overly inflammatory."
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.
The charges against Sun and Hu come amid a broader crackdown by the U.S. Department of Justice on individuals accused of working on behalf of foreign adversaries, such as China and Russia, without registering with the U.S. government. In a similar case last month, Chinese academic Wang Shujun was convicted in Brooklyn federal court for spying on New York-based activists supporting democracy in China.
Sun, who faces eight counts, including failure to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering, previously served as deputy chief of staff to both Governor Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Hu faces three counts, including bank fraud conspiracy.
Prosecutors argue that Sun acted at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging in activities that included blocking Taiwanese representatives' access to state officials and altering state messaging to favor Beijing’s interests. They also allege that she arranged unauthorized travel invitations for Chinese officials and helped them gain access to sensitive government meetings, including those related to New York's COVID-19 response.
The case underscores the growing tensions between the U.S. and China over alleged espionage and foreign influence operations. Sun’s actions, if proven, would represent a significant breach of U.S. national security protocols. Governor Hochul has expressed shock and outrage over the allegations, describing them as a betrayal of trust.
With the next court appearance set for later this month, both Sun and Hu are restricted from leaving certain areas, including New York City, Long Island, Maine, and New Hampshire, as they prepare to fight the charges against them.