Overview
- Opening statements begin Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court after a jury was seated Monday, with the judge expecting the case to run for several weeks.
- Linda Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, have pleaded not guilty to charges that include Foreign Agents Registration Act violations, money laundering conspiracy, bribery, and visa fraud.
- Prosecutors allege Sun blocked Taiwanese representatives from access to New York officials, steered state messaging to align with Beijing’s priorities, and let a Chinese official listen to a state conference call.
- The indictment says New York paid over $44 million to two March 2020 PPE vendors tied to Sun’s relatives and associates, with about $2.3 million funneled back to Hu.
- Prosecutors say alleged proceeds funded a Long Island mansion, a Honolulu condo, and luxury cars including a 2024 Ferrari, while the defense argues the case is inconsistent and driven by focus on the couple’s wealth.