Former New York governors’ aide Linda Sun allegedly operated as a Chinese agent while pocketing millions in kickbacks from COVID-era PPE contracts, tracking illicit profits in a spreadsheet aptly named “Me.”
Key Takeaways
- Linda Sun, former aide to Governors Hochul and Cuomo, allegedly steered $44 million in pandemic PPE contracts to companies connected to her and her husband, receiving $2.3 million in kickbacks.
- Sun and her husband Chris Hu face multiple charges including honest services wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery, and acting as unregistered agents of China.
- The couple allegedly tracked their illicit proceeds in a spreadsheet titled “Me” and aimed to make $8.02 million from the corrupt scheme.
- FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the corruption as endangering American lives while serving Chinese Communist Party interests.
- Sun allegedly manipulated vendor lists, forged documents, and suppressed mentions of Chinese human rights issues in government communications.
Corruption at the Highest Levels of New York Government
Linda Sun, who served as a trusted aide to both New York Governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, stands accused of exploiting her position during the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich herself while secretly advancing Chinese government interests. Federal prosecutors allege Sun abused her role in New York’s pandemic response to steer lucrative PPE contracts to companies connected to her and her husband Chris Hu, ultimately receiving millions in kickbacks. The scandal has exposed a concerning level of foreign influence within one of America’s most powerful state governments during a critical health crisis.
“When masks, gloves and other protective supplies were hard to find, Sun abused her position of trust to steer contracts to her associates so that she and her husband could share in the profits,” said Brooklyn-based U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.
According to the indictment, Sun used her connections to China to help New York obtain desperately needed PPE during the pandemic’s early days. However, she simultaneously forged documents to falsely claim that Chinese officials had recommended two specific companies – which were actually linked to her and her husband. New York’s government subsequently signed contracts with these companies worth over $44 million, with prosecutors alleging that $2.3 million was funneled back to Hu through various channels
The “Me” Spreadsheet and Luxury Lifestyle
In a particularly damning detail, prosecutors revealed that Hu allegedly tracked the couple’s illicit proceeds in a spreadsheet explicitly titled “Me.” This document reportedly outlines how the couple aimed to make $8.02 million from their corrupt scheme. The money allegedly helped the couple acquire multimillion-dollar properties and luxury vehicles while living a lavish lifestyle built on pandemic profiteering. Investigators uncovered this evidence while building a case that includes charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and bribery.
“While Americans were locked down and desperate for PPE, Linda Sun and Chris Hu cashed in – allegedly lining their pockets while serving CCP interests,” Patel wrote on X. “This is corruption that endangered lives. The FBI will not tolerate public officials who sell out their country.” said Kash Patel.
The indictment details how Sun specifically manipulated vendor lists to favor her cousin’s company, which subsequently paid the $2.3 million in kickbacks. To conceal their activities, Hu allegedly laundered money through bank accounts under a relative’s name. The corruption became so extensive that Governor Hochul’s administration eventually fired Sun in 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, though the full extent of her alleged crimes was not yet public at that time.
Chinese Influence Operations and National Security Concerns
Beyond the financial corruption, Sun faces even more troubling accusations of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. Prosecutors allege she used her position to advance Chinese interests, including suppressing mentions of Chinese human rights issues in government communications. In one instance, Sun allegedly intervened to remove references to Chinese human rights abuses from a Lunar New Year video. In return for these services, Hu reportedly received assistance with business ventures in China.
“The newest allegations continue the government’s trend of making and publicizing feverish accusations unmoored from the facts and evidence that we expect will actually come out at trial,” said attorney Jarrod Schaeffer
Sun and Hu have pleaded not guilty to all charges, with a trial scheduled for November. Their case highlights growing concerns about foreign influence in American government institutions, particularly from China. This scandal represents a significant breach of public trust, showing how foreign actors can potentially exploit political insiders during national emergencies. President Trump has consistently warned about such Chinese influence operations throughout his presidency, and this case appears to validate those concerns about compromised officials within Democratic administrations.
