On September 4, 2024, Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, was charged by US authorities with multiple counts, including acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. Alongside her, her husband, Chris Hu, was also implicated, raising serious concerns about foreign influence within US politics.
The Charges
Sun, 41, and her husband, Hu, 40, both naturalized US citizens, were accused of several violations, including:
- Conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
- Visa fraud
- Alien smuggling
- Money laundering conspiracy
Hu was additionally charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of identification. According to prosecutors, the couple used their Long Island residence and other luxury purchases—such as a $2.1 million Honolulu condo and a Ferrari—as cover for their activities. Federal authorities raided their Long Island home in July, after which both were arrested. Their bail was set at $1.5 million for Sun and $500,000 for Hu. Both pleaded not guilty.
Sun’s 15-year tenure in the New York government saw her working in senior roles under both Cuomo and Hochul. During this time, US prosecutors allege, she acted as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government, engaging in activities that promoted the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while concealing her ties to Beijing.
The charges outlined how Sun used her position to:
- Block Taiwanese officials from accessing key New York state officials.
- Influence the COVID-19 pandemic response by ensuring Cuomo publicly thanked Chinese officials for donations of medical supplies while blocking Taiwan’s attempts at acknowledgment.
- Secure unauthorized letters of invitation for Chinese officials, facilitating their entry into the US for secret meetings with New York officials.
One particularly notable accusation details Sun’s involvement in forging Governor Hochul’s signature on invitation letters to ease Chinese officials’ entry into the US. This revelation came during a raid and subsequent investigation by federal agents, where they found evidence of her manipulating New York’s state protocols to benefit China.
Prosecutors argue that Sun and Hu received millions of dollars through their illegal activities, orchestrating business deals tied to Hu’s China-connected company. These funds allowed them to purchase multiple properties, including a $4.1 million home in a gated Long Island community and luxury cars. Additionally, they allegedly received other perks such as:
- Tickets to prestigious events.
- Employment for Sun’s cousin in China.
- Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a Chinese government official’s personal chef.
The indictment also details how Sun manipulated the messaging of both Cuomo and Hochul regarding politically sensitive topics. For instance, she ensured that speeches excluded references to the detention of Uyghurs in China and other human rights abuses, a move that prosecutors argue aligns with Beijing’s interests.
During the pandemic, Sun arranged for New York state officials to participate in secret conference calls with Chinese officials regarding the state’s response to COVID-19. In return, she helped facilitate Chinese donations of ventilators and medical supplies, ensuring that Cuomo publicly thanked the Chinese government. An archived social media post from Cuomo, dated April 2020, corroborates this: “The Chinese government helped facilitate a donation of 1,000 ventilators… I thank the Chinese government, Jack Ma, Joe Tsai, the Jack Ma Foundation, the Tsai Foundation, and Consul General Huang.”
Governor Kathy Hochul expressed outrage and shock over the charges, labelling the accusations as a “betrayal of trust.” Hochul revealed that Sun was terminated from her role in March 2023 after “evidence of misconduct” surfaced, leading the governor’s office to immediately alert authorities. “It was a betrayal of New Yorkers and the American people,” Hochul stated during a press conference on September 4, 2024.
Former Governor Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, distanced the Cuomo administration from the scandal, explaining that while Sun worked in several state agencies, her interaction with the governor was limited. “National security must be free from foreign influence,” Azzopardi remarked.
On the Chinese side, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, dismissed the allegations, stating that they were part of a “groundless slander” targeting China. He further added, “China requires its citizens overseas to comply with the laws and regulations of the host country, and we firmly oppose the groundless smearing of China.”
Sun’s case is part of a larger trend of accusations against China for espionage and influence operations within the US, exacerbated by the growing tensions between the two global powers. William Burns, Director of the CIA, has previously highlighted in a January 2024 article that the agency has significantly increased its efforts to counteract Chinese espionage.
The case against Sun and Hu underscores the complexities of foreign influence in US politics, raising concerns over national security at both state and federal levels. As the trial progresses, the case will likely draw further scrutiny on espionage and foreign interference in American governance from China.
This trial serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the US as it seeks to counteract growing foreign influence, with China at the center of many recent concerns. September 25, 2024, has been set as the next court date in this case.
