Former Top Aide to New York Governor Arrested for Allegedly Acting as Undisclosed Agent for China
A former top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Linda Sun, has been arrested on federal charges accusing her of acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and of laundering millions of dollars for China. The charges, which also include her husband, Chris Hu, highlight a disturbing potential for foreign influence within the highest levels of state government. This case raises serious questions about national security and the integrity of our political system, and it is likely to have far-reaching implications.
Key Takeaways:
- Linda Sun, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Hochul for a year, was arrested on charges of violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy.
- Sun’s husband, Chris Hu, was arrested on charges of money laundering conspiracy, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.
- The indictment alleges that Sun acted as an undisclosed agent for China while working in the governor’s office and other state agencies, taking actions that benefited the PRC and CCP, including blocking Taiwanese representatives from accessing high-level New York State officials.
- Prosecutors say Sun received "substantial economic and other benefits" from China in exchange for her actions, including facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions for Hu’s business activities.
- Hochul’s office terminated Sun’s employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct and immediately reported her actions to law enforcement.
A Shocking Allegation of Foreign Influence
The charges against Sun are incredibly serious, as they allege she acted as an undisclosed foreign agent, which is a serious crime under U.S. law. The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which Sun is accused of violating, mandates that anyone working as a foreign agent must register with the US Department of Justice and disclose their activities. Sun’s alleged failure to do so raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability, and it underlines the potential dangers of foreign influence operating undetected within our government.
The indictment details a range of activities that Sun allegedly undertook at the behest of the Chinese government and CCP. These include:
- Blocking Taiwanese government representatives from accessing high-level New York State officials. This act, if true, would be a blatant example of foreign interference in U.S. political processes and could have significant repercussions for relations between the United States and Taiwan.
- Changing high-level New York State officials’ messaging regarding issues of importance to the PRC and the CCP. This allegation suggests that Sun actively sought to manipulate government messaging to advance the interests of a foreign power, potentially undermining the integrity of U.S. policy decisions.
- Obtaining official New York State proclamations for PRC government representatives without proper authorization. This potential misuse of official state documents could have serious consequences for the state’s legitimacy and its relationships with other governments.
The Alleged Benefits of Sun’s Actions
The indictment paints a disturbing picture of the alleged benefits that Sun received for her actions. These benefits included:
- Facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions for Hu’s PRC-based business activities. This allegation suggests a clear quid pro quo between Sun’s activities and the financial interests of the Chinese government.
- Tickets to events, promotion of a close family friend’s business, employment for Sun’s cousin in the PRC, and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a PRC government official’s personal chef delivered to Sun’s parents. These benefits, while seemingly mundane, highlight the extent to which Sun was allegedly being rewarded for her actions by the Chinese government.
The sheer variety of these benefits suggests a sophisticated network of individuals and organizations working to incentivize Sun’s actions.
The Governor’s Response and the Implications
Governor Hochul’s office has stated that they terminated Sun’s employment after discovering evidence of misconduct and immediately reported her actions to law enforcement. However, the fact that Sun served in such a high-level position within the governor’s office for a year raises questions about internal oversight and vetting processes.
This case is likely to have far-reaching implications. It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by foreign interference in U.S. politics. It also highlights the need for increased scrutiny of individuals holding high-level positions within government, particularly in light of the potential for foreign influence.
This is a developing story, and further investigations will likely shed more light on the extent of Sun’s alleged actions and their implications for U.S. national security and the integrity of our political system.
