Former New York State government employee charged with acting as undisclosed agent of China
PRC and CCP allegedly used state official to influence New York policies and block Taiwanese diplomatic efforts
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn, where Linda Sun is facing charges for allegedly acting as an undisclosed agent of China. Brooklyn Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese
A former high-ranking New York State government employee, Linda Sun, has been charged with acting as an undisclosed agent for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn.
Sun, who held positions including deputy chief of staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, worked directly under high-level New York State politicians, including the governor and other senior officials. She is accused of using her influence to further the interests of the PRC and CCP while working within the state government.
Sun’s husband, Chris Hu, faces related charges, including money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification. The couple were arrested on Tuesday and were arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars. Our office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.”
The charges against Sun stem from alleged violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). FARA requires individuals in the United States who act on behalf of foreign governments, political parties or other foreign entities to disclose their relationships and activities to the U.S. government by registering with the attorney general.
The law is designed to ensure transparency so that the U.S. government and the public are aware of any foreign influence on American policies and officials.
Failing to register under FARA or actively concealing such activities is a federal crime.
According to the indictment, while serving in key roles within the New York State government, Linda Sun secretly worked on behalf of the PRC and CCP. She allegedly engaged in several activities at the direction of PRC and CCP officials, including preventing representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with high-level New York State officials, altering the messaging of New York State officials on issues important to the PRC and CCP, obtaining unauthorized official New York State proclamations for PRC government representatives, and attempting to arrange a trip to China for a high-level New York State politician while also coordinating meetings for visiting PRC delegations with New York State officials.
The indictment also alleges that Sun repeatedly violated internal government protocols to provide unauthorized benefits to PRC and CCP representatives. This included issuing false invitation letters from the New York State government to facilitate the travel of PRC officials to the United States under false pretenses.
Sun never registered as a foreign agent, as required by FARA. The indictment claims she actively concealed her actions and affiliations with the PRC and CCP, preventing the New York State government and the public from understanding the true nature of her activities. As a result, Sun portrayed herself as an independent public servant when, in reality, she was allegedly acting on behalf of a foreign government.
In return for her actions, Sun allegedly received substantial economic benefits from PRC and CCP representatives, including the facilitation of millions of dollars in transactions for her husband’s business, luxury travel and expensive gifts. These illicit gains were laundered through various financial channels, including the purchase of real estate and luxury vehicles.
Chris Hu, Sun’s husband, is accused of laundering the proceeds of these activities, using bank accounts opened in the name of a close relative to conceal the transactions.
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