A chilling narrative is unfolding in a Brooklyn courtroom, revealing allegations of espionage and influence peddling reaching the highest levels of New York state government. At the center of the case is Linda Sun, a former high-ranking official accused of acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government.
Evidence presented at Sun’s corruption trial details a calculated effort to cultivate relationships and exert influence, even going so far as to assess the pliability of current and former governors. In a January 2021 message, Sun reportedly described Governor Kathy Hochul as “much more obedient” than then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, a startling assessment revealed to jurors.
This assessment wasn’t idle chatter. It followed Sun’s success in persuading Hochul, then Lieutenant Governor, to film a Lunar New Year video specifically promoting China’s New York consulate. Chinese officials had initially requested Cuomo’s participation, but Sun confidently assured them she could secure Hochul instead.
The exchange, laid bare in court, shows Sun texting a consular official, stating she believed the Lieutenant Governor would be more amenable. Minutes later, she reiterated this to another official, claiming Hochul “listens to me more than the governor does.” The resulting two-minute video features Hochul praising the Chinese-American community and the consulate.
The accusations against Sun extend far beyond a single video. Prosecutors allege a pattern of activity designed to benefit the Chinese government, including attempts to arrange a high-level state visit and obstruct contact between American officials and representatives from Taiwan.
Sun’s downfall began in 2023 when she was terminated from her position following the discovery of “evidence of misconduct.” The investigation uncovered a web of alleged favors granted to Chinese officials in exchange for millions of dollars directed to her husband’s business ventures in China.
This illicit wealth allegedly funded a lavish lifestyle, including properties in Long Island and Honolulu valued at over $6 million, and the purchase of a 2024 Ferrari Roma. The scale of the alleged financial gain paints a picture of deliberate and calculated corruption.
Perhaps most disturbingly, Sun is accused of attempting to silence criticism of China’s human rights record. She allegedly boasted about intervening to prevent Cuomo from publicly addressing the plight of the Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic group subjected to mass incarceration and forced labor.
Court documents reveal a frustrated exchange with a Cuomo speechwriter who insisted on including the Uyghur issue in a speech. Sun dismissed the speechwriter’s knowledge of China, and vowed to ensure the governor remained silent on the matter. The chilling detail underscores the extent of the alleged Chinese influence.
Sun’s defense maintains her actions were legitimate and within the scope of her employment. Her attorney argues she was simply performing her job duties and did not commit any crime. However, the prosecution’s evidence suggests a far more sinister and deliberate scheme to serve the interests of a foreign power.
