Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, has pleaded not guilty to new federal charges tied to pandemic profiteering, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors allege Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, collected millions in kickbacks from PPE deals during the COVID-19 crisis.
The couple is accused of wire fraud, bribery, and conspiracy, with Hu also facing tax evasion charges. Prosecutors say Sun used her state position and undisclosed family ties to steer over $44 million in contracts to favored vendors.
Sun already faces earlier charges of secretly advancing Chinese government interests while working in state government. Both defendants remain free on bond ahead of a November trial.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].