The handsome but unhappy-looking couple above are Linda Sun, former deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Sun’s husband, Chris Hu — both now under arrest on charges of acting as agents of the Chinese government.

Specific charges against Sun were violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, smuggling of aliens, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. While working for the New York State government, she is alleged to have “influenced the messaging of high-level state officials regarding issues of importance to China, blocked Taiwanese government representatives from access to the officials, and obtained official New York State proclamations for Chinese government representatives without authorization.” [Gloria Pazmino and Mark Morales, CNN, September 4, 2024.]

Her husband was also charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, as well as misusing means of identification. In a news release, prosecutors said that Sun acted as “an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government while her husband, Hu, facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in kickbacks for personal gain.” [Id.]

The couple were arrested on Tuesday at their Long Island home, seen below.

The defendants’ attorneys have denied the accusations against their clients, and say they “have a lot of confidence in our case.”

Not surprisingly, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, Mao Ning, said that they were not familiar with the aide (Ms. Sun):

“I am not aware of the situation you mentioned. I will not comment on the domestic cases in the United States, but we oppose malicious associations and slander against China.” [Id.]

At a time when U.S.-China relations are already at a low ebb, the last thing we need is a dust-up over spying. But it’s inevitable that these situations will present themselves from time to time; we are, after all, talking about the world’s second oldest profession. It’s not going anywhere — not in my lifetime.

And yet again, we’re reminded that you never really know who your next-door neighbor, your co-worker, or your beautician might turn out to be.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/5/24