Jury halts verdict in former Hochul aide foreign agent case.
A New York federal jury has failed to reach a verdict in the closely watched trial of a former top aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, leaving the case unresolved and setting the stage for a new trial. The defendant, Linda Sun, was accused by federal prosecutors of secretly working on behalf of the Chinese government while holding a powerful role inside New York state government. Her husband, Chris Hu, was also charged in connection with the case.
The jury in Brooklyn deliberated for several days before informing U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan that it could not agree on any of the charges. In a written note, jurors stated that deep disagreements remained over how the evidence should be viewed and how the law should be applied. The panel said no further discussion would change opinions, leading the judge to declare a deadlock.
Sun and Hu were facing a 19-count indictment that included allegations of money laundering, bank fraud conspiracy, and misuse of identification. Sun was also charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, along with claims involving visa fraud and alien smuggling. Prosecutors argued that Sun used her access and influence inside state government to push policies favored by Beijing, all while failing to register as a foreign agent as required by law.
Federal authorities said Sun received financial benefits worth millions of dollars in exchange for her actions. According to court filings, the couple allegedly used the money to purchase a luxury lifestyle that included a 4.1-million-dollar home in Manhasset on Long Island, a 2.1-million-dollar condo in Hawaii, high-end vehicles, and other costly items.
Sun was arrested in September 2024 at her Long Island residence. She had worked in New York state government for more than a decade, holding several roles between 2012 and 2023. Her most senior role was deputy chief of staff to Governor Hochul, a position she held for about one year starting in September 2021. State officials said she was fired in 2023 after concerns about her conduct surfaced.
Governor Hochul has publicly distanced herself from Sun since the arrest. In earlier statements, Hochul said her administration alerted federal authorities once possible misconduct was uncovered and cooperated fully with investigators. State officials emphasized that Sun was no longer employed at the time of her arrest.
During the trial, Sun’s defense team argued that the charges distorted her work as a public servant. Her attorney told jurors that Sun was simply performing her duties by building relationships between the state government and members of New York’s Asian community. The defense maintained that her actions were lawful and part of routine outreach work expected of someone in her position.
Prosecutors strongly rejected that view. They presented evidence they said showed Sun communicating with officials linked to the Chinese government and boasting about her value as a political contact. In closing arguments, the government described a pattern of corruption and personal gain, claiming Sun put her own interests ahead of the state she served.
After the jury deadlocked, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Solomon told the court that prosecutors plan to retry the case as soon as possible. A hearing to discuss next steps was scheduled for later in the week. Until a new trial occurs, the charges remain unresolved, leaving the case open and under continued public scrutiny.
Sources:
New York jury deadlocks over trial of alleged Chinese agent
Jurors Deadlock in Trial of Linda Sun, Accused of Acting as China Agent
Join the conversation!