NY Gov Hochul’s Senior Aide Indicted for Spying for China, Allegedly Pocketing Millions: Feds

A former top aide to New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul has been indicted on serious federal charges for allegedly acting as a foreign agent for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Linda Sun, once a senior aide within Hochul's administration, is accused of receiving millions of dollars in exchange for espionage activities that favored China and its authoritarian regime.

According to the Department of Justice, Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, engaged in multiple criminal conspiracies, including money laundering, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and bank fraud. Hu, facing additional charges of money laundering conspiracy and misuse of means of identification, allegedly helped Sun launder millions that she received from her covert operations on behalf of China.

• Sun’s Role in CCP Espionage: Prosecutors detailed how Sun used her position within Hochul’s administration and various New York state agencies to manipulate political decisions in favor of the Chinese government. She allegedly blocked representatives of Taiwan from accessing high-level New York officials, shifted state messaging on issues important to the CCP, and arranged unauthorized meetings between Chinese government officials and New York leaders.

• Visa Fraud and Alien Smuggling: Sun is also accused of providing unauthorized letters of invitation from New York state officials, facilitating the illegal entry of Chinese nationals into the U.S. She reportedly used her access to enable travel for Chinese officials without proper authorization, granting them entry under false pretenses for meetings with New York’s political elite.

• Lavish Benefits in Return: In exchange for her loyalty, Sun allegedly received millions of dollars in benefits, ranging from lavish real estate deals to luxury travel and even employment for her cousin in China. Investigators say the money was laundered to purchase high-end properties, including a $4.1 million home in Manhasset, New York, and a $2.1 million condo in Honolulu, Hawaii. Sun and Hu also splurged on luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Ferrari.

The DOJ outlined how Sun’s spying directly advanced the interests of China’s communist regime. “Acting at the request of PRC government officials and CCP representatives, Sun engaged in numerous political activities in the interests of the PRC and the CCP,” the department stated. These activities were part of a larger strategy by the Chinese government to infiltrate and influence American politics from within.

The indictment represents a significant breach of national security, illustrating just how far the CCP is willing to go to compromise U.S. state and federal government operations. With Sun’s actions coming to light, this case is a wake-up call for Americans about the deepening threat of foreign espionage and infiltration.

As the investigation unfolds, Sun and Hu face numerous charges that could result in decades of prison time. The gravity of these accusations further highlights the need for stronger safeguards against foreign influence in American politics, particularly from adversarial nations like China.

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