A former top assistant to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Linda Sun, has been arrested on serious federal charges. Authorities say she secretly worked for the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while she was in a high position in state government.
Here’s what happened:
1. The Arrest: Linda Sun, who used to be Governor Hochul’s deputy chief of staff, was arrested at her fancy Long Island home. The house is worth over $4 million and has luxury cars, including a 2024 Ferrari. Her husband, Chris Hu, was also arrested.
2. The Allegations: Sun is accused of using her government position to help China’s interests. She allegedly received large amounts of money and was involved in moving millions of dollars connected to Chinese business. She’s also accused of blocking Taiwanese officials from meeting with New York government leaders and tried to influence Governor Hochul’s stance on China and Taiwan.
3. Lavish Lifestyle: Prosecutors say Sun and her husband used the money from their alleged illegal activities to buy expensive properties, including a $4.1 million house in Long Island and a $2.1 million condo in Honolulu. They also owned luxury cars, like the Ferrari.
4. Charges: Sun faces several charges, including violating laws about foreign agents, visa fraud, smuggling, and money laundering. Chris Hu faces charges related to money laundering and fraud.
5. Governor Hochul’s Reaction: Governor Hochul’s office quickly distanced itself from Sun. They said she was hired a long time ago, her job ended in March 2023 when they discovered her misconduct, and they’ve been working with law enforcement ever since.
This case has sent shockwaves through New York politics and raises serious questions about security and loyalty in government positions.
