LINDA SUN CHINESE SPYING ON NYC GOV
LINDA SUN AND CHRIS HU HAVE BEEN SPYING FOR CHINA FOR YEARS
BY THE LEGAL EAGLE
Former New York Official Linda Sun and Husband Charged in Alleged Chinese Espionage Scheme
Linda Sun, a former high-ranking aide to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, and her husband, Chris Hu, face serious federal charges for allegedly acting as undisclosed agents of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The couple’s arrest in September 2024, followed by additional charges in 2025, has sent shockwaves through New York’s political landscape, raising questions about foreign influence in state government. Sun, who held influential roles in New York’s executive chamber for over a decade, is accused of leveraging her positions to advance Beijing’s interests, while Hu allegedly facilitated the financial gains from their illicit activities.
A Rapid Rise in New York Politics
Born in Nanjing, China, in 1983 or 1984, Linda Sun immigrated to the United States at age five, later becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. She earned a degree in political science from Barnard College in 2006 and a master’s in education from Columbia University in 2009. Sun’s career in New York state government began in 2009 as chief of staff to then-State Assemblywoman Grace Meng.
She joined the Cuomo administration in 2012, serving in roles such as director of Asian American affairs, Queens representative, and later chief diversity officer. In September 2021, Sun was appointed deputy chief of staff to Governor Kathy Hochul, becoming the highest-ranking Asian American in the administration at the time. She left the role in 2022 and briefly served as deputy commissioner for strategic business development at the New York State Department of Labor until her termination in March 2023.
Allegations of Espionage and Corruption
According to a 64-page federal indictment unsealed in September 2024, Sun acted as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government, engaging in political activities to further the CCP’s agenda. Prosecutors allege she blocked Taiwanese officials from accessing high-level New York state officials, altered public statements to align with Beijing’s priorities, and secured unauthorized gubernatorial proclamations for Chinese officials. Notably, Sun is accused of forging Governor Hochul’s signature on documents to facilitate travel for a CCP delegation from Henan Province and arguing with Hochul’s speechwriter to omit references to the Uyghur situation in a Lunar New Year message.
In exchange, Sun and Hu allegedly received millions in kickbacks, including a $3.6 million home in Manhasset, Long Island, a $1.9 million condo in Hawaii, a 2024 Ferrari, and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a Chinese consulate official’s chef. Hu, who operated a seafood business and financial consulting firm, is accused of laundering these funds through over 80 bank accounts, enabling the couple’s lavish lifestyle. Additional charges filed in February and June 2025 allege that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sun steered lucrative contracts for masks and ventilators to Chinese companies, one run by her second cousin and another by Hu, enriching the couple further.
FBI Investigation and ArrestThe FBI’s interest in Sun dates back to at least 2020, when agents inquired about a trip she took to China in 2019. In July 2024, the FBI raided the couple’s Long Island home, and on September 3, 2024, Sun and Hu were arrested. Sun faces eight counts, including violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Hu faces charges of money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud conspiracy, and misuse of identification. Both pleaded not guilty, with Sun released on a $1.5 million bond and Hu on a $500,000 bond. Their next court appearance is scheduled for later this month
Sun’s attorneys, Jarrod Schaeffer and Kenneth Abell, have called the charges “inflammatory” and the product of an “overly aggressive prosecution,” arguing for a speedy trial to contest the allegations. A motion to dismiss the case claims the accusations are a “weak fiction.”
Political Fallout and ResponseGovernor Hochul, who fired Sun in March 2023 after discovering unspecified misconduct, expressed outrage, calling Sun’s actions a “betrayal of trust.” Her office promptly reported Sun to law enforcement and has cooperated with the investigation.
Hochul also claimed she sought the expulsion of China’s consul general in New York, Huang Ping, though the State Department clarified he left due to a routine rotation. Former Governor Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, downplayed Sun’s role in his administration, noting she had “little to no interaction” with the governor and was promoted under Hochul.
The case has sparked calls for investigations into New York’s vetting processes. State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt described Sun’s employment as an “alarming security failure,” urging a probe into how a suspected foreign agent operated at high levels of state government for over a decade.
Broader ImplicationsSun’s case is part of a broader Justice Department crackdown on Chinese influence operations in the U.S., particularly by the Eastern District of New York. Prosecutors highlight efforts to counter Beijing’s transnational campaigns, such as Operation Fox Hunt, aimed at suppressing dissidents.
The allegations underscore growing U.S.-China tensions, with states like Georgia and Florida enacting laws to limit Chinese influence. Critics, including a Chinese Embassy spokesperson, argue the U.S. has exaggerated “Chinese agent” narratives, many of which have later been disproven.
As the legal proceedings continue, Sun and Hu’s case raises critical questions about foreign influence in American politics and the vulnerabilities within state government systems. The couple’s alleged actions, if proven, represent a significant breach of national security, with ripple effects likely to influence U.S.-China relations and New York’s political landscape for years to come.
The indictment alleges that Sun used her influential position to advance the interests of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, receiving financial benefits worth millions of dollars in return. Her husband, Chris Hu, has also been implicated in the scheme. Both Sun and Hu have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Governor Hochul’s office has expressed shock and disappointment over the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and integrity in government. The case is expected to draw significant attention as it unfolds, given the serious nature of the charges and the high-profile individuals involved.
