Hung Jury Ends Trial of Ex-NY Governor’s Aide Accused of Influence Peddling
A mistrial was declared on Monday in the corruption case involving Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors. The federal jury in Brooklyn faced a deadlock, unable to reach a verdict on charges she sold her influence to China and profited from a medical equipment scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. The jury reported being hopelessly divided on all 19 counts against her and her husband, Chris Hu.
Background of the Case
The trial’s presiding judge, US District Judge Brian Cogan, received a note from the jury indicating they could not achieve a unanimous decision after extensive deliberations. Prosecutor Alexander Solomon stated the government intends to retry the case promptly.
Charges Against Linda Sun and Chris Hu
Linda Sun was accused of using her position in state government to promote Beijing’s agenda in exchange for substantial financial benefits. Prosecutors allege that Sun accepted kickbacks from Chinese companies in return for steering lucrative contracts for face masks and medical supplies during the pandemic. Her charges include:
- Acting as an unregistered agent for China
- Visa fraud
- Money laundering
- Wire fraud
- Bribery
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Her husband, Chris Hu, faced charges of money laundering, bank fraud, and tax evasion. Both were charged jointly with conspiracy-related offenses.
Allegations of Misconduct
Sun, a naturalized US citizen born in China, held various positions in state government over a 15-year career, including deputy chief of staff under Governor Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer for former Governor Andrew Cuomo. In 2023, she was dismissed after allegations of misconduct surfaced.
Evidence presented during the trial suggested that Sun worked to align the state’s messaging with Chinese government interests. This included blocking interactions between New York officials and representatives from Taiwan, a point of contention as China does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign entity. Prosecutors highlighted instances where Sun actively sought to remove references to the Uighurs, a persecuted minority in China, from official statements.
In a striking incident, Sun allegedly forged Governor Hochul’s signature to facilitate visa approvals for Chinese officials. Prosecutors claimed she frequently bragged about her contributions to Chinese officials in return for financial gains, which included transforming her husband’s lobster export business into a profitable venture. This newfound wealth allowed them to live extravagantly, purchasing a multimillion-dollar home, luxury vehicles, and other high-end items.
Defense’s Argument
Sun’s defense team portrayed her as a dedicated public servant and a proud American. Her attorney, Kenneth Abell, argued that her actions were mischaracterized, claiming Sun was merely exercising caution regarding relations with Taiwan. Abell emphasized that no evidence was presented that conclusively proved Sun forged signatures or engaged in bribery related to state contracts, questioning the necessity of bribes during a time when funding for medical supplies was ample.
As the case unfolds, it remains clear that allegations of influence peddling have significant implications for US-China relations and the integrity of government officials in this ongoing investigation.
