Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and a prominent advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), has been arrested on charges of acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Sun, 41, was apprehended at her luxurious Long Island mansion on Tuesday, raising alarm bells about the extent of Beijing's influence within the highest levels of New York State government.
Sun, who served as the state's DEI boss and held multiple key positions in the administrations of both Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, is accused of using her influential roles to advance the interests of the CCP while enriching herself and her family. After pleading not guilty, she was released on a staggering $1.5 million bond, while her husband, who is also implicated in the scheme, was released on a $500,000 bond.
For nearly 15 years, Sun navigated the corridors of New York's state government, climbing the ranks from chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Grace Meng in 2009 to Hochul's deputy chief of staff in 2021. Throughout her tenure, she presented herself as a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, a facade that now appears to have masked her true allegiance to Beijing.
As the chief diversity officer for the state under Cuomo, Sun was a vocal proponent of equity, famously stating, "Equity is when we make sure that all the people who are at the table have equal access to make sure that their ideas and their thoughts are heard." However, prosecutors now allege that she was simultaneously blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from accessing high-level New York State officers and altering messaging on issues involving the CCP.
The Department of Justice's 63-page indictment reveals the extent of Sun's betrayal, detailing how she repeatedly violated internal protocols to provide improper benefits to the Chinese government. The proceeds from her illegal activities were allegedly funneled into purchasing luxury properties, including a $2.1 million condo in Hawaii and a 2024 Ferrari, as well as funding her husband's business ventures in China.
US Attorney Breon Peace did not mince words, stating, "As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as Deputy Chief of Staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP. The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars."
The indictment also highlights the lavish gifts Sun received in exchange for her treachery, including tickets to performances by Chinese cultural groups and even specially prepared Nanjing-style salted ducks delivered to her parents’ home by a Chinese government official's personal chef.
The arrest of Sun marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle against foreign interference in American institutions. It raises serious questions about how someone with such deep ties to the CCP could have held such influential positions within New York State for so long, particularly in roles focused on promoting diversity and inclusion—a key area that China has been known to exploit to sow division and advance its agenda.
Governor Hochul’s office has attempted to distance itself from Sun, with a spokesperson stating that Sun was fired in March 2023 after evidence of misconduct was discovered. "We terminated her employment... and immediately reported her actions to law enforcement", the statement reads. However, this begs the question: how did Sun manage to infiltrate the state's leadership in the first place, and what other vulnerabilities remain?
The case against Linda Sun serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and insidious influence of the Chinese Communist Party within the United States. As more details emerge, it is clear that the fight against foreign influence, particularly from Beijing, must be a top priority for state and federal authorities to protect the integrity of American governance.
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