Mistrial Declared In Trial Of Hochul Aide Linda Sun

A mistrial was declared on Monday in the corruption trial of Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The jury in Brooklyn was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on charges that Sun acted as an unregistered agent for China and engaged in fraudulent activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial, which lasted nearly a month, ended with jurors deadlocked on all 19 counts against Sun and her husband, Chris Hu.

Sun was accused of using her government position to advance Beijing's interests in exchange for financial benefits, including steering state contracts for medical supplies to Chinese companies during the pandemic. Prosecutors alleged that Sun and Hu received millions in kickbacks, which funded a lavish lifestyle, including luxury cars and properties in Long Island and Hawaii.

The case was part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to identify and prosecute individuals working clandestinely for foreign governments in the United States. Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, held several positions in New York state government over a 15-year career, including deputy chief of staff to Governor Hochul and deputy diversity officer under former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Despite the mistrial, the prosecution intends to retry the case. A status conference is scheduled for January 26, 2026. Sun's defense argued that the charges were flawed and maintained her innocence, describing her as a dedicated public servant. They contested the evidence presented by the prosecution, including allegations of forging Governor Hochul's signature and taking bribes in the form of luxury items.

CNN reported that the jury was close to a guilty verdict on most charges, but could not reach a consensus. NewsNation noted that the jury's inability to reach a verdict highlights the complexity of the case. The New York Post detailed the luxurious lifestyle Sun and Hu allegedly funded through their activities.

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