Who is Linda Sun? The former government aide charged as a secret Chinese agent

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York on Tuesday charged Linda Sun with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government. The senior former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul is accused of using her position to benefit the Chinese government to further its interests, while at the same time blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with officials.

Her husband, Chris Hu, has also been charged with crimes related to laundering millions in kickbacks through his business activities. Federal investigators had raided the couple’s home in July.

Who is Linda Sun? The former government aide charged as a secret Chinese agent

Sun, 41, began working in public employment for the State of New York over a decade ago, over which time she held positions in various government agencies. Her first role in 2009 was as chief of staff to then assemblywoman Grace Meng. Then in 2012 she was hired for a position in the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo.

When Kathy Hochul became governor in 2021, after Cuomo resigned, Sun was hired as deputy chief of staff in the new administration. However, her employment was terminated in March 2023 after evidence of misconduct was discovered, a spokesperson for the governor said. The governor’s office “immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process,” the spokesperson added.

Included in the illegal activities Sun is accused of doing on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party prosecutors say that she provided unauthorized invitation letters from the governor’s office. This made it easier for Chinese government officials to travel to the US to meet with New York state officials.

At the same time she blocked potential meetings between state officials, including the governor, and Taiwanese officials. As well she used her position to eliminate references to Taiwan in state communications according to the indictment.

In exchange, among other rewards, her husband’s China-based businesses received millions of dollars in transactions. That money was then laundered through the purchase of properties in Long Island and Hawaii with a combined worth of $6 million, as well as a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports car.

Additional gifts listed in the indictment included employment for Sun’s cousin in China and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a Chinese official’s personal chef which was then delivered to her parents’ home.