Linda Sun, a former DEI officer and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Kathy Hochul, faces serious federal charges related to a multimillion-dollar personal protective equipment (PPE) fraud and kickback scheme during the C*VID-19 pandemic, as well as allegations of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the Chinese government.
The 41-year-old, who was born in China, was issued a second superseding indictment against Sun and her husband Hu for their alleged roles in a PPE fraud scheme during the early stages of the p*ndemic.
She’s being charged with Wire Fraud and Conspiracy.
She allegedly steered state contracts to two companies with personal connections.
Sun and Hu are also being charged with bribery for allegedly receiving millions in kickbacks from the vendors they favored.
A spreadsheet on their personal computer showed that one company paid them about $2.3 million in 2020 and 2021.
Another spreadsheet in Hu’s electronic accounts showed expected profits of more than $8,029,741 from both companies’ contracts with the New York State Department of Health, with Hu noting “me” in the profit column.
The kickbacks enabled Sun and Hu to fund a lavish lifestyle, including a $3.6 million mansion in New York, a $1.9 million condo in Hawaii, a 2024 Ferrari, and other luxury vehicles.
Sun and Hu were first indicted on September 3, 2024, for allegedly acting as undisclosed agents of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
These charges include
Violating and Conspiring to Violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
Visa Fraud and Alien Smuggling
Money Laundering Conspiracy:
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and
misuse of means of identification, related to the fraudulent use of a relative’s identity to open bank accounts.
They both pleaded not guilty.
They are set for arraignment on the new PPE fraud charges on June 30, in Brooklyn federal court.
Sun was released on a $1.5 million bond, and Hu on a $500,000 bond, with travel restrictions and orders to avoid contact with the Chinese consulate.
Their assets, including properties, luxury vehicles, and $210,000 in cash, have been seized.
