Former NY Governor’s Aide Arrested for Spying for China—See How She Lived the High Life

U.S. authorities have arrested Linda Sun, the former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and ex-deputy chief of diversity under former Governor Andrew Cuomo, on charges of working as an agent for the Chinese government in exchange for money. Sun was apprehended on Tuesday at her Long Island residence. Her husband, Chris Hu, was also arrested in the case.

The couple is accused of acting as unregistered agents for the Chinese government. Sun faces ten charges, including visa fraud, money laundering, and other crimes, while her husband Hu faces charges of money laundering.

Prosecutors allege that during her tenure in state government, Sun obstructed a representative from the Taiwanese government at the behest of Chinese officials. They also claim that she attempted to arrange visits to China for high-ranking New York officials and pressured state officials to avoid publicly addressing the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China.

In return for her actions, representatives from the Chinese government facilitated millions of dollars in business deals for Sun’s husband in China. The couple allegedly received various benefits, including travel perks, tickets to performances, promotion of a close friend’s business, and the deliveries of “Nanjing-style salted duck,” prepared by a personal chef from the Chinese consulate to Sun’s parents’ home.

The indictment reveals Sun and Hu led lavish lifestyles, owning a $4.1 million home in Long Island, a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii, and luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Ferrari.

Sun, who was born in China, worked for the New York state government for about 15 years after obtaining U.S. citizenship. In November 2022, she served as deputy director of strategic business development at the state Department of Labor. Still, she resigned in March 2023 to work on the campaign of Austin Chang, a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives.

A spokesperson for Governor Hochul stated that Sun was terminated after evidence of illegal activity related to her resignation was discovered.

The arrest is part of a broader initiative by the New York State Attorney General’s office in Brooklyn to counter Chinese government efforts to intimidate and exert control over the Chinese community in recent years. Recent prosecutions include the case of Shujun Wang, a 75-year-old democracy activist from Queens found guilty of spying for the Chinese Communist Party, and three men accused of stalking a family in New Jersey on behalf of the Chinese government. Additionally, individuals involved in operating a covert police station for China have also been prosecuted.