(NewsNation) — Linda Sun, a former aide to two New York governors, is on trial today, facing allegations she acted as an undeclared agent for China and received millions in kickbacks and benefits through her connections.
Sun is accused of using her position to benefit the Chinese government and of illegally profiting from the state’s purchase of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 19-count indictment against Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, spans over a decade. Sun held senior positions in the New York state government from 2012 to 2023, while Hu had several businesses in New York City during that time. Prosecutors claim that Hu’s businesses played a central role in funneling the illicit funds tied to the scheme.
Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, served under both former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Gov. Kathy Hochul, holding roles that included deputy chief of staff and positions in economic development and diversity oversight.
The pair were arrested in 2024 during a crackdown on alleged Chinese secret agents and charged again in June as part of a government effort to address fraud during the pandemic, as reported by The Associated Press.
What are Sun and Hu accused of?
“Linda Sun was for sale,” prosecutor Amanda Shami told jurors during an opening statement in Brooklyn federal court today.
Sun is facing accusations that she used her government role and relationships with Chinese government officials to steer key state decisions and government contracts in ways that benefited the Chinese government, as well as her husband and their associates.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, she is accused of directing the state to purchase protective equipment from vendors with ties to her family. In another instance, Sun is accused of halting meeting requests between the governor’s office and Taiwanese officials, and then bragging about it to the Chinese consulate.
Sun and Hu have pleaded not guilty to several charges, including honest services wire fraud, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, bribery, conspiracy to defraud the United States and money laundering conspiracy.
Separately, Sun faces charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent, visa fraud and alien smuggling, while Hu is charged with tax evasion, money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.
Sun’s lawyer, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, told jurors the charges “assault everything she’s built her life around,” explaining that she only dealt with China in an official capacity, including as a liaison to the Asian community.
“Linda Sun did what she was hired to do. That’s what the evidence will show,” Schaeffer said in his opening statement. “She didn’t commit a crime by doing her job.”
What gifts did they receive?
Prosecutors say Sun and Hu received lavish gifts and financial benefits through a network of business and personal connections linked to Chinese government officials. These included:
- Tickets to events, such as the Guangzhou Ballet performance at Lincoln Center
- Salted ducks prepared by a Chinese consulate’s personal chef and sent to Sun’s parents
- Jobs for Sun’s relatives
- A Long Island home valued around $4.05 million
- A Hawaii condo valued around $2.1 million
- Luxury cars, including a 2024 Ferrari Roma
If convicted, the pair face years behind bars and will have to forfeit their assets.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.