Top Democrat Aide Arrested in Massive COVID Fraud and CCP Ties Probe

Federal authorities have arrested Linda Sun, a former top aide to ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and a senior official under Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), in a sweeping investigation into pandemic-era corruption and foreign influence. 

The announcement was made Thursday by FBI Director Kash Patel, who said Sun’s actions jeopardized public safety and national security.

Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, are accused of operating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving the sale of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prosecutors allege that while in public office, Sun steered lucrative state contracts to vendors connected to her and Hu, profiting personally from the emergency.

The charges include conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, bribery, tax evasion and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. 

Officials say Sun submitted forged documents purporting to be from Chinese authorities to facilitate the deals while simultaneously working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“While Americans were locked down and desperate for PPE, Linda Sun and Chris Hu cashed in – allegedly lining their pockets while serving CCP interests,” Patel posted on X. 

“This is corruption that endangered lives. The FBI will not tolerate public officials who sell out their country.”

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Sun used her government position to manipulate emergency procurement processes when protective supplies were scarce. 

She allegedly routed contracts to specific vendors who shared profits with her and her husband.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella stated that Linda Sun allegedly operated as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government while simultaneously exploiting New York State’s vulnerable position during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to Nocella, Sun not only failed to disclose her ties to the People’s Republic of China but also enriched herself by millions of dollars through fraudulent activities at a time when the state urgently needed protective equipment and resources.

“We demand better from our public servants,” he said.

The probe is part of a far-reaching federal crackdown on healthcare-related fraud during the pandemic, Trending Politics reports. 

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino described the broader investigation as the largest of its kind in Department of Justice history, with financial losses reaching billions.

According to Bongino, the investigation covered 50 districts nationwide and led to hundreds of charges, including against nearly 100 healthcare providers. 

Authorities recovered more than $245 million and identified nearly $15 billion in potential losses, including billions in fraudulent claims and millions in illegally distributed medications.

Authorities have not yet disclosed how Sun’s conduct came to their attention but say the case remains active.

Sun had continued serving in state government after Cuomo’s resignation, later holding the role of deputy chief of staff under Hochul. 

Her legal team has rejected the allegations. 

Attorney Jarrod L. Schaeffer said the case lacks factual grounding, telling the New York Post that the charges are “feverish accusations unmoored from the facts and evidence that we expect will actually come out at trial.”

No trial date has been scheduled.

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