A former aide to two New York governors, Linda Sun, is set to stand trial on Wednesday, accused of selling her influence to the Chinese government and illegally profiting from the state’s bulk purchase of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, served in various state government roles over a 15-year career, including as deputy chief of staff to Governor Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer under former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were arrested last year during a U.S. crackdown on alleged secret agents working for the Chinese government. They were charged again in June as part of the government’s efforts to root out pandemic fraud. Sun has pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, conspiring with her husband to commit money laundering, and aiding visa fraud. Hu has also pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of identification. Neither has been charged with espionage. Federal prosecutors allege that Sun acted at the request of Chinese officials to block Taiwanese government representatives from accessing the governor’s office and shaped New York governmental messaging to align with Chinese priorities. In return, Hu received assistance for his business activities in China, which prosecutors claim allowed the couple to purchase multimillion-dollar properties and luxury cars. Sun is also accused of reaping millions in kickbacks by exploiting her role on a Cuomo administration team that procured personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Sun’s lawyer, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, contends that the government charged Sun because she and her family “had too much money” and that the case is filled with “glaring inconsistencies.” Opening statements are set for Wednesday morning in Brooklyn federal court, with the trial expected to last several weeks.
Ex-NY governors’ aide set for trial on charges she sold influence to China, got kickbacks for masks
