[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] A former top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul enjoyed a life of luxury because she was an undeclared agent for China, federal prosecutors have claimed.
Linda Sun, 41, is accused of acting as an unregistered operative for the Chinese Communist Party and using her position to influence Hochul and ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo into actions favorable to Beijing.
Sun earned a government salary of $145,000, but was also receiving millions of dollars from side deals arranged by Chinese officials, prosecutors told her trial Monday.
She and her husband Chris Hu used cash to purchase a $3.6 million mansion in Long Island, $1.9 million condo in Hawaii and a 2024 Ferrari Roma, which sells for at least $243,300, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Sun allegedly indulged in Nanjing-style salted duck dinners prepared by the Chinese consulate chef and was regularly acquainted with Communist Party insiders.
She made frequent visits back to China and even celebrated the Communist Party's 70th year in power at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the court heard.
Prosecutors allege Sun received funds from China, which were then siphoned through Hu's businesses. The couple are also accused of generating $2.3 million in kickbacks on personal-protection equipment imports during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sun is charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. She denies all wrongdoing.
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