New York Gov ex-aide accused of working for China but Gov Kathy Hochul said she remains “confident” in the state’s employee vetting program after her former aide was recently arrested and accused of acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Hochul addressed reporters Wednesday, a day after Linda Sun, 40, and her husband, Chris Hu, 41, were arrested. Sun was charged with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy.
Sun had touted “equity” policies in her position, a newly-resurfaced video from 2021 shows. The resurfaced video, which was a “Women in Government Leadership Webinar” presented by the New York chapter of the nonprofit Tzu Chi Foundation, was recorded on Dec. 16, 2021. At the time, Sun served as deputy chief of staff to Hochul.
“We have very high levels of background checks,” Hochul said during a press conference on Wednesday. “They take an enormous amount of time. They will go back to basically people’s kindergarten activities. So, we have, I feel confident in our vetting process right now. It is lengthy, it is intensive.”
Where was Linda Sun Born?
Linda Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, served under Hochul’s predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, as well.
Linda Sun New York – In 2009, Sun was hired as chief of staff in Rep. Grace Meng’s office when Meng was in the State Assembly. The administration of then Gov. Andrew Cuomo hired Linda Sun in 2012, naming her director of Asian American affairs and Queens representative. She was very capable of delivering the results for the City of New York and that made her invaluable to Cuomo and Hochul.
Where was Linda Sun Born
Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn and will be released on bond.
New York Gov ex-aide accused of working for China
While working for state government, Sun influenced the messaging of high-level state officials regarding issues of importance to China, blocked Taiwanese government representatives from access to the officials, and obtained official New York State proclamations for Chinese government representatives without authorization, prosecutors alleged in the indictment.
“As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said, using the acronym for the Chinese Communist Party. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.”
Sun has been barred from having any contact with the People’s Republic of China’s consulate and mission.
Our client is understandably upset that these charges
Her defense lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, said, “We’re looking forward to addressing these charges in court. Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought.”
Hu is charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.
Attorney Seth DuCharme walks in front of former New York Governor Kathy Hochul aide Linda Sun, center, and her husband, Christopher Hu, left, leave Brooklyn Federal Court after their arraignment, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in New York.
“I believe that the Chinese government, with their behavior in doing this and working with Linda Sun is not acceptable,” Hochul said while concluding the presser. “And it is a statement by US that we’re not tolerating this. And anybody who represented that government needs to move on. That was what we made clear.”
Sun and Hu both pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Sun’s bond is set at $1.5 million and her husband’s is set at $500,000. Both will have their travel limited to New York City, Long Island, Maine and New Hampshire. Their next court date was set for September 25.