Overview
- Opening statements began Wednesday before Judge Brian Cogan, who told jurors the case against Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu is expected to run several weeks.
- Prosecutors say Sun worked at the request of Chinese officials by blocking Taiwanese access, shaping state messaging to align with Beijing, forging Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature, and secretly adding a consulate official to a 2020 COVID response call.
- The government alleges Sun and Hu steered pandemic PPE business to a cousin and an associate who won more than $44 million in contracts, funneled about $2.3 million back, and laundered proceeds into a Long Island home, a Hawaii condo, and a 2024 Ferrari Roma, along with gifts such as tickets and Nanjing-style salted ducks.
- Sun has pleaded not guilty, with her lawyer arguing she lawfully performed liaison duties, did not need to register under FARA, and is being targeted over her family’s wealth and what he calls glaring inconsistencies in the case.
- Charges include failing to register as a foreign agent, money laundering conspiracy, bribery related to mask contracts, and visa fraud; Hu also faces tax and bank fraud counts, both defendants deny wrongdoing, and Hochul’s office says Sun was fired in March 2023 and referred to law enforcement.