By Ryan Schwach
A former top aide in the governor’s office with Queens ties was indicted on Tuesday for allegedly secretly attempting to influence New York officials at the behest of the Chinese government.
Linda Sun, a former top official in the executive chamber who once ran the governor’s Asian affairs efforts in Queens, appeared before a federal judge on Tuesday and now faces a slew of charges alleging she used her government role to act on behalf of Chinese government officials.
According to the 64-page indictment, Sun used her role from 2016 to 2022 to manipulate both former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Governor Kathy Hochul’s policies related to both China and Taiwan, and was rewarded for her actions by the Chinese government.
Sun was indicted on 10 counts, including violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy.
Her husband, Chris Hu, was also charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.
“As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York…the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the [Chinese Communist Party],” said United States Attorney Breon Peace. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars.”
The husband and wife duo have connections in Queens. Hu had businesses in the borough, including a liquor store, and Sun previously worked for now-Congressmember Grace Meng when Meng served as a member of the State Assembly.
In 2012, Sun was hired by Cuomo to become his administration’s liaison to local Asian American communities, specifically in Queens. She later became the external affairs director of Empire State Development’s Global NY program, a post that included leading trade and investment missions to five different countries each year, according to her LinkedIn profile.
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