By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 4: Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, has been charged with secretly acting as an agent of the Chinese government, allegedly receiving millions of dollars in compensation for her actions.
Sun faced multiple charges, including violations and conspiracy under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, Chris Hu, is also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and misusing means of identification.
According to U.S. federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, while working in state government, Sun obstructed representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with officials and attempted to arrange a visit to China by a high-level New York state official.
Both Sun and her husband have pleaded not guilty. Sun’s lawyer, Seth DuCharme, commented on the charges, stating, “Many of the allegations in this indictment are, frankly, perplexing and overly inflammatory. The defendants are exercising their right to a speedy trial as soon as possible.” They are scheduled to appear in court on September 25 and have been released on bonds totaling $2 million until then.
Additionally, four officials from Beijing’s New York City consulate have been accused of being co-conspirators. The Chinese embassy in Washington has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Sun, a naturalised U.S. citizen born in China, served as Governor Hochul’s deputy chief of staff and was originally hired more than a decade ago under former Governor Cuomo. She was dismissed in March 2023 following allegations of misconduct. Her husband, Hu, also a U.S. citizen, reportedly has business activities in China.
