Overview
- A Brooklyn federal jury is set to hear opening statements Wednesday after being seated earlier in the week, and the judge expects the trial to run for several weeks.
- Prosecutors allege Linda Sun acted at the request of Chinese officials to curb Taiwan’s access to top New York leaders and to align state messaging with Beijing’s priorities, including allowing a diplomat to monitor a private call.
- The government says funds tied to her husband’s business activity in China helped pay for a Long Island mansion, a $1.9 million Honolulu condo, and luxury cars such as a 2024 Ferrari.
- Separately, prosecutors claim Sun abused her pandemic procurement role by steering $44 million in mask contracts to connected companies, with about $2.3 million funneled back to her husband.
- Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, have pleaded not guilty to FARA, money-laundering, visa and related fraud charges, as her lawyer argues the case misconstrues gifts and finances rather than proving foreign direction.