New York Gov. Hochul's former top aide accused of working as a foreign agent for China.

• A high-ranking official who previously served as the governor of New York's chief of staff was arrested on federal charges, alleging that they acted as an unacknowledged representative of China and the Communist Party.
• Linda Sun, who had been Hochul's deputy chief of staff, is accused of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, committing visa fraud, smuggling aliens, and conspiring to launder money.
• Chris Hu, the husband of Sun, was also arrested on charges of money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud conspiracy, and misuse of means of identification.

On Tuesday, a former top advisor to New York Governor Kathy Hochul was arrested on federal charges, accusing her of secretly working for China and the Chinese Communist Party, and of laundering millions of dollars for China.

Linda Sun, who had been Hochul's deputy chief of staff for a year, is accused of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, committing visa fraud, smuggling aliens, and conspiring to launder money.

Chris Hu, 40, Sun's husband, was arrested on charges of money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud conspiracy, and misuse of means of identification.

FBI agents arrested the couple at their Long Island home and they will appear in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn on Tuesday afternoon.

The couple is accused of using their illicit earnings to purchase a $4.1 million home in Manhasset, Long Island, a $2.1 million condominium in Honolulu, and a 2024 Ferrari, according to prosecutors.

The 41-year-old Sun, while employed in the governor's office and various state agencies, secretly worked as an agent for China.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn stated that Sun, acting on behalf of the People's Republic of China government officials and Communist Party of China representatives, undertook various political activities in support of the PRC and CCP, including obstructing Taiwanese government representatives from meeting with high-level New York State officials.

The release stated that the sun changed the messaging of high-level New York State officers regarding important issues to the PRC and the CCP, obtained official New York State proclamations for PRC government representatives without proper authorization, attempted to facilitate a trip to the PRC by a high-level New York State politician, and arranged meetings for visiting delegations from the PRC government with New York State government officials.

In exchange for certain actions, Sun allegedly obtained significant economic and other advantages from the Chinese government and Communist Party.

The press release stated that millions of dollars in transactions were facilitated for the PRC-based business activities of Hu.

The release stated that Sun was given tickets to various events, including the promotion of a close family friend's business, employment opportunities for Sun's cousin in the PRC, and Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by a PRC government official's personal chef that were delivered to the residence of Sun's parents.

Over a decade ago, the Executive Chamber hired this individual.

"In March 2023, we ended her employment due to misconduct evidence, promptly informed law enforcement of her actions, and have been cooperating with them throughout the process," Small stated.

From 2012 to 2023, Sun held various positions in New York State government, including serving as deputy chief of staff to Hochul for a year, starting in September 2021.