How 'Chinese spy' Linda Sun 'infiltrated' the Democratic state government and used her wealth to buy salted ducks, a brand new Ferrari and a sparkling condo in Honolulu

Suspected Chinese spy Linda Sun pushed the Chinese Communist Party's agenda in the New York governor's office in exchange for perks such as salted ducks and a 2024 Ferrari, prosecutors said.

Linda Sun, who held numerous offices under Governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul between 2012 and 2023, was arrested Tuesday morning along with her husband Chris Hu at their $4 million Long Island mansion.

Prosecutors say Sun secretly worked to promote the CCP's interests in New York, particularly with regard to Taiwan, which the CCP considers part of China. She is accused of blocking Taiwanese government officials and even participating in a protest against the Taiwanese president in New York in 2018.

In 2020, Sun wrote to a Chinese official: “I almost had a heart attack when we referred to Taiwan as a country. Fortunately, I had the press team correct it immediately.”

Suspected Chinese agent Linda Sun, who held numerous positions under governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul between 2012 and 2023, was arrested on Tuesday morning

The couple's $4 million, five-bedroom mansion was raided by federal agents in July

In 2021, when Cuomo was still governor, Chinese officials requested a video from him about the Chinese New Year. Sun said Hochul, then the lieutenant governor, could probably do that and asked for “talking points of things you want her to mention.”

“Mainly holiday wishes and hopes for friendship and cooperation / Nothing too political,” an officer told her, according to the indictment.

Sun later told another official that she had argued with Hochul's speechwriter over the draft because he insisted on mentioning the “situation of the Uighurs” in China. She promised she would not allow that, and the final speech made no mention of the Muslim ethnic minority or the persecution they face in China, the indictment said.

Sun has worked in state government for nearly 15 years, beginning in 2009 as chief of staff to Grace Meng, a member of the New York State Assembly and now a congresswoman.

Starting in 2012, she held various positions in the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, including Global New York Trade Manager, Asian Outreach Director for the Governor's Office, and Queens Regional Representative.

In 2018, the Cuomo administration appointed Sun as Chief Diversity Officer.

In September 2021, she was appointed Hochul's deputy chief of staff, according to her LinkedIn profile. She remained in that position for about 15 months.

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty at their first court appearance in Brooklyn on Tuesday afternoon and were released on bail.

According to prosecutors, Sun can be seen protesting against the Taiwanese president's visit to New York in 2019

In January 2019, Sun wrote to a CCP official: “I value my relationship with the consulate and have worked with them throughout my tenure at[geschwärzter Politiker]done a lot to strengthen the relationship between the state and the consulate.”[redactedpolitician[redactedpolitician

“Of course, I managed to end all relations between TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) and the state. I refused all requests from their office.”

Sun is said to have used the proceeds from her illegal work to purchase the Manhasset home as well as a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii and luxury cars, including a 2024 Ferrari.

She also received smaller gifts, the indictment says, including tickets to performances by a visiting Chinese orchestra and ballet troupes, as well as “Nanjing-style salted ducks” prepared by the personal chef of a Chinese government official and delivered to Sun's parents' home in New York.

Sun is also accused of having procured proclamations and invitations from the governor's office for Chinese officials on his own initiative and even of having attempted to arrange a trip to China for an unnamed high-ranking New York politician.

In return, Sun and her family received significant economic benefits from Chinese officials, including millions of dollars for her husband's business dealings in New York and China, according to the Justice Department.

Sun is pictured above being honored at an event at the People's Republic of China Consulate. The photo is part of the Justice Department's indictment.

Sun poses with members of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) in further evidence presented by the US government

Her husband Hu is accused of laundering the ill-gotten gains through the bank accounts of a close relative.

According to the indictment, Sun and Hu did not take out mortgage loans when they purchased their homes on Long Island and Hawaii, respectively, in 2021 – “and the purchases occurred shortly after HU received a series of wire transfers from a PRC-based account in the name of the business partner totaling over $2.1 million.”

When a relative sent Sun a message expressing concern that people would wonder how she could afford the Long Island mansion, Sun replied, “Mortgage.”

Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty at their first court appearance in Brooklyn on Tuesday afternoon and were released on bail. Sun is prohibited from having any contact with the consulate and mission of the People's Republic of China.

Her defense attorney Jarrod Schaeffer said: “We look forward to hearing these charges in court. Our client is understandably upset that these allegations have been made.”

Chris Hu's liquor store in Queens is pictured. Sun and her family received significant economic benefits from Chinese officials, including millions of dollars for her husband's businesses in New York and China.

In a statement, a spokesman for Hochul's office said the government fired Sun after “discovering evidence of misconduct.”

“This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reporting her actions to law enforcement, and assisting law enforcement throughout the process,” the statement said.

Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi downplayed Sun's influence in the former governor's administration, saying she “worked for a handful of agencies and was one of many community liaisons who had little to no contact with the governor.”