Linda Sun, a former high-ranking New York state government official who served under both former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) and current Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY), has been charged with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government.

Revealed in an indictment on Tuesday, the charges allege that Sun used her position within the state government to further the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over a period spanning more than a decade. Sun, who rose through the ranks of the New York state government to become the deputy chief of staff for Governor Hochul, was arrested early Tuesday morning at her $3.5 million home on Long Island, alongside her husband, Chris Hu.

Federal prosecutors allege that Sun, while holding multiple influential roles in state government, secretly worked to advance the political and economic goals of the CCP. The indictment outlines a series of covert activities allegedly conducted by Sun on behalf of the Chinese government. Among the most alarming allegations is that Sun actively worked to block representatives of the Taiwanese government from gaining access to New York state officials, including the governor’s office. The indictment also claims that Sun facilitated unauthorized meetings between Chinese government officials and New York state officials, without the knowledge or approval of her superiors.
Linda Sun
In exchange for her efforts, Sun and Hu are accused of receiving substantial financial and other benefits from the Chinese government. These benefits allegedly included assistance with multimillion-dollar business deals in China, which Hu is said to have used to bolster his various business ventures, including a seafood export company and a financial consultancy. The couple is also accused of laundering the proceeds from these activities, which were allegedly used to purchase luxury properties and vehicles.

Sun’s arrest and the charges against her represent a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s efforts to combat foreign influence operations on American soil. According to the indictment, Sun failed to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a critical legal requirement intended to ensure transparency regarding individuals acting on behalf of foreign governments. By not registering, Sun allegedly concealed her activities from both the New York state government and the American public, allowing her to operate undetected for years.

The indictment also details instances where Sun allegedly lied to federal investigators about her connections to the Chinese government. In one instance, during a voluntary interview with the FBI in 2020, Sun is accused of misrepresenting the purpose of a trip she took to China, which was allegedly arranged and funded by CCP operatives. Chinese consulate officials even reportedly delivered a culinary specialty to the home of Sun’s parents—a Nanjing-style salted duck, prepared by the personal chef of a consulate official.

Federal prosecutors have charged Sun and Hu with multiple crimes, including conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government, money laundering, and making false statements to federal agents. If convicted, the couple faces significant prison time and the forfeiture of assets acquired through their alleged illegal activities. Sun and Hu are slated for their initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn.