Elise Stefanik calls for investigation into New York governor after former aide charged with being Chinese spy – Washington Examiner
Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, has called for an investigation into Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration following the indictment of a former aide, Linda Sun, who faces serious charges, including being an alleged foreign agent for the Chinese government. Sun is accused of multiple offenses, including violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, Christopher Hu, is also involved in related charges.
Stefanik has expressed concerns that Hochul allowed an individual tied to the Chinese government access to high levels of state government, which she argues exemplifies a broader issue of New York Democrats allegedly facilitating Chinese influence within the state. She criticized Hochul’s administration for its actions, including maintaining ties with China, specifically citing the existence of Chinese police stations and sister city partnerships.
Financial disclosures highlight discrepancies in the reported income of Sun and Hu versus their ability to afford luxury properties, leading prosecutors to suspect that their financial gains were linked to illicit activities supporting the Chinese government’s interests. During her time in office, Sun reportedly manipulated state messaging to favor Chinese government positions and restricted interactions with Taiwanese officials, which is significant given China’s stance on Taiwan.
Stefanik’s call for an investigation aims to ensure transparency for New York taxpayers regarding the actions and decisions made by the Hochul administration.
Elise Stefanik calls for investigation into New York governor after former aide charged with being Chinese spy
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), House Republican Conference chairwoman, is calling for an investigation into Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) after New York officials charged the governor’s former aide over being an alleged foreign agent for the Chinese government.
Linda Sun was charged with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, Christopher Hu, was also charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and misuse of means of identification, according to Tuesday’s 66-page indictment.
Stefanik said she wants a complete investigation into Hochul and her administration “so that hardworking New York taxpayers receive the transparency we deserve.”
“Failed Far Left Democrat Kathy Hochul allowed Communist Chinese spy Linda Sun unfettered access to the highest levels of New York State government,” Stefanik said in a statement. “From allowing Chinese police stations to maintaining a sister city partnership between NYC and Beijing, this is another example of New York Democrats facilitating the influence campaign of Communist China.”
Prosecutors alleged that Sun made $144,000 as a state government worker and Hu made less than $1,000 exporting seafood in 2021. But the pair was able to afford a $3.6 million home in Manhasset, New York, and a $1.9 million condo in Honolulu that year, according to financial disclosures via the indictment. Prosecutors argue the money came from a scheme where Sun was boosting the Chinese government and Communist Party views in the New York government.
Sun allegedly engaged in favorable actions toward China during her time in Hochul’s office, including changing state messaging of matters important to China and obtaining state proclamations regarding China without authorization, among other things. Emails also suggested Sun focused on heavily limiting Hochul and former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s interactions with Taiwanese officials, as China does not recognize Taiwan’s independent government.
In exchange, co-conspirators with ties to the Chinese government boosted Hu’s business exporting lobsters to Beijing, the indictment alleges. Prosecutors did not provide an exact dollar amount on how much the scheme provided to Sun and Hu, but U.S. Attorney Breon Peace put it at “millions of dollars.”
The indictment said the sums Sun and Hu received through the alleged scheme never made it onto her financial disclosures, which were required to be filled out as an employee of the governor’s office. Sun and Hu have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and both were released on a $1.5 million bond and $500,000 bond, respectively.
Hochul told WNYC’s All Things Considered that she was “furious” at the allegations and that the charges were “a betrayal” of the government and its citizens. A spokesperson for Hochul told the Washington Examiner that Sun’s employment was terminated in March 2023 over evidence of misconduct and that the administration has “assisted law enforcement throughout this process.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Hochul for comment on Stefanik’s call for an investigation.
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