A COVID-era kickback scheme orchestrated by former governor’s aide Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu allegedly netted them $8 million in profits while endangering American lives during a critical PPE shortage.
Key Takeaways
- Former aide to Governors Cuomo and Hochul, Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu, face federal charges for an $8 million COVID PPE kickback scheme while allegedly serving Chinese interests.
- FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the couple for exploiting America’s desperate need for protective equipment during the pandemic
- Sun allegedly steered contracts to Chinese vendors run by her husband and second cousin without disclosing these relationships.
- The couple tracked their illicit gains on a spreadsheet titled “Me” while Americans struggled to find protective equipment.
- Sun was previously charged with acting as a foreign agent for Chinese interests before these new bribery charges.
FBI Director’s Scathing Condemnation
FBI Director Kash Patel did not mince words when addressing the charges against Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu. The former aide to Governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul stands accused of orchestrating a massive kickback scheme during America’s desperate search for protective equipment at the height of the COVID pandemic. According to federal prosecutors, the couple allegedly exploited Sun’s position of trust within New York state government to direct contracts toward Chinese vendors with whom they had undisclosed personal connections, allowing them to profit substantially while the nation struggled with shortages.
“While Americans were locked down and desperate for PPE, Linda Sun and Chris Hu cashed in – allegedly lining their pockets while serving CCP interests. This is corruption that endangered lives. The FBI will not tolerate public officials who sell out their country,” said Kash Patel, FBI Director.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino emphasized the gravity of Patel’s statement, urging Americans to “Read the last sentence again. Bookmark it.” This unusually direct language from top FBI leadership underscores the severity with which federal law enforcement views public corruption cases that potentially compromise national security interests, especially when connected to foreign governments during times of crisis.
The $8 Million Scheme
Federal prosecutors have laid out a detailed indictment alleging that Sun and Hu profited up to $8 million through fraudulent contracts with Chinese vendors for pandemic equipment. The couple allegedly facilitated contracts between New York state and two Chinese-based vendors – one run by Hu himself and another by Sun’s second cousin. The scheme reportedly involved Sun altering documents to favor these companies, falsely claiming endorsements from Chinese officials to secure the lucrative deals. Perhaps most brazenly, investigators discovered the couple had kept meticulous records of their illegal proceeds on a spreadsheet simply titled “Me.”
“When masks, gloves, and other protective supplies were hard to find, Sun abused her position of trust to steer contracts to her associates so that she and her husband could share in the profits,” said Joseph Nocella, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
The timing of the scheme proved particularly egregious, as it exploited New York’s urgent need for protective equipment during the height of the pandemic when medical professionals and everyday Americans struggled to find basic protective gear. The couple now faces multiple serious charges including honest services wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery, and tax evasion following their indictment on Wednesday.
Previous Foreign Agent Allegations
The new bribery charges add to Sun’s existing legal troubles. She was previously charged with acting as a foreign agent for Chinese interests, making this case particularly concerning from a national security perspective. Both Sun and Hu were arrested in September, with Sun having been terminated from her position in 2023 as investigations into her activities intensified. Their arraignment for these new charges is scheduled for Monday, where they will face a judge regarding the latest allegations in what appears to be an expanding case of corruption and foreign influence.
“This alleged scheme not only created an unearned and undisclosed benefit for the defendants and their relatives, but it also exploited the state’s critical need for resources in a health crisis,” said Christopher Raia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge.
Sun’s attorney, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, has pushed back against the allegations, stating: “The newest allegations continue the government’s trend of making and publicizing feverish accusations unmoored from the facts and evidence that we expect will actually come out at trial.” However, the detailed nature of the indictment, including the discovery of the incriminating spreadsheet and documentation of the transactions, suggests prosecutors have built a substantial case against the couple.
