NYC Gazette

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Linda Sun with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Sun is alleged to have acted on behalf of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Sun’s husband and co-defendant Chris Hu was also charged with money laundering conspiracy, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification.

Sun and Hu were arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned later today before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office; and Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announced the prosecution.

“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,” stated United States 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.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to various departments for their work on the case: “He also thanked the New York State Executive Chamber for its cooperation with the investigation.”

“As alleged in the indictment, Linda Sun, a former New York State government employee, acted as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain," stated FBI Acting Assistant Director Curtis. "The FBI is committed to protect [sic]the American people from any threat actors who seek to influence officials at the direction of foreign entities."

“Sun is alleged to be an undisclosed agent of PRC and CCP," said Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge IRS CI New York. "It is with unwavering determination that federal law enforcement roots out foreign agents and their schemes."

As per allegations in the indictment, while working for various high-ranking posts within New York State government agencies including Executive Chamber positions—Sun acted covertly on behalf of PRC officials promoting their interests such as blocking Taiwanese representatives from access or facilitating unauthorized proclamations.

Sun allegedly violated internal protocols providing benefits like unauthorized invitation letters used by PRC officials traveling into U.S., constituting false statements connected with immigration documents aiding unlawful entry.

In return for these actions among others mentioned above - Sun received substantial economic benefits including facilitation transactions worth millions linked with Hu's business activities based out-of-China along travel perks/tickets/promotions/employment opportunities/culinary deliveries prepared by personal chefs belonging directly affiliated under governmental capacities within respective regions abroad without disclosing them required being employed under NY state regulations.

Hu reportedly laundered proceeds through accounts opened using close relative's identity exclusively meant benefiting himself unlawfully obtaining driver's license images.

The charges remain allegations until proven otherwise defendants presumed innocent unless found guilty accordingly under due process framework handling national security cybercrime section office-led prosecution efforts aided assistant attorneys Alexander Solomon Robert Pollack alongside trial attorney Scott Claffee counterintelligence export control litigation analyst Mary Clare McMahon forfeiture matters handled Laura Mantell asset recovery segment

Defendants:

LINDA SUN

Age: 41

Manhasset NY

CHRIS HU

Age: 40

Manhasset NY

E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 24-CR-346(BMC)