New evidence from a federal corruption trial has raised serious concerns about “obedient” Kathy Hochul and the influence foreign officials may have held over New York’s leadership. Testimony revealed that former New York state official Linda Sun told Chinese consular staff that then–Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was “much more obedient” than former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Prosecutors presented messages in which Sun told a Chinese consular official, Lihua Li, “She is much more obedient than the governor,” and later added to Huang Ping, “The deputy governor listens to me more than the governor does.” According to prosecutors, Sun pushed Hochul to record a Lunar New Year video promoting China’s New York consulate after Chinese officials failed to secure the same favor from Cuomo. Sun told Li she could persuade Hochul, writing, “Let me ask, but likely the LG can probably do it.”
The two-minute video showed Hochul praising the “privilege” of working with the consulate. Sun, who served under both Cuomo and Hochul, now faces charges including violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege she acted on behalf of the Chinese government, sought to influence state policy, and funneled millions of dollars in business through her husband.
Evidence also showed Sun claimed to influence Cuomo’s speeches, even promising to prevent him from discussing China’s treatment of Uyghurs. In messages with Ping, she said she argued with a speechwriter who “insisted” on raising the issue. Ping replied, “This person has never been to China, right? He knows very little about China.” Sun responded, “Never been there… I will definitely not let the governor bring it up.”
Defense attorneys argued that Sun operated legally, saying, “Linda Sun did what she was hired to do. She didn’t commit a crime by doing her job.”
