Former Cuomo Aide Arrested in Sweeping COVID Fraud Probe

A former senior official in New York state government has been arrested and charged in connection with a far-reaching federal investigation into COVID-era fraud. Linda Sun, who held a top advisory role under former Governor Andrew Cuomo and briefly served under Governor Kathy Hochul, is now at the center of a federal case involving alleged corruption, fraud, and misuse of pandemic emergency funds.

Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, are accused of using her government position to profit from personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic—when demand for masks, gloves, and other supplies was at its peak and governments were scrambling to secure lifesaving gear for healthcare workers.

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Millions Made from Pandemic Panic

According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, the couple orchestrated a scheme to steer lucrative state contracts toward companies in which they held undisclosed financial stakes. The contracts, allegedly worth millions of dollars, were awarded under the emergency procurement rules enacted during the pandemic.

“Instead of serving the public during a historic crisis, the defendants chose to serve themselves,” Nocella stated at a press briefing. “They used insider access to exploit the system, to enrich themselves at the expense of New York taxpayers and frontline responders.”

Federal investigators allege that Sun used her role as a senior policy advisor to manipulate the vendor selection process. She is accused of providing confidential information to her husband and associated companies, enabling them to outbid or undercut competitors with knowledge unavailable to the public.

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Fraud, Conspiracy, and Foreign Influence

In addition to charges of fraud and conspiracy, Sun faces accusations of tax evasion and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Prosecutors claim she submitted forged documentation, allegedly originating from Chinese officials, to bolster the legitimacy of certain deals. These documents, now believed to be fraudulent, were used to push through contracts more quickly under the emergency approval process.

“This case doesn’t just involve financial corruption—it raises serious questions about foreign influence and the integrity of our supply chain during a national emergency,” said Christopher Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York office.

While specific national security risks remain under investigation, the use of falsified foreign documents in government procurement processes has prompted concern among lawmakers and intelligence agencies alike.

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Part of a Nationwide Crackdown

Sun’s arrest comes as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to root out pandemic-era fraud—a campaign that officials say has uncovered nearly $3 billion in fraudulent claims across the country.

“This is one of the largest healthcare fraud initiatives in American history,” said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. “We’re holding people accountable who thought they could exploit a crisis for personal gain. It’s a betrayal of public trust, plain and simple.”

The DOJ reports that more than 320 individuals have been charged in relation to COVID-related fraud schemes, including nearly 100 licensed medical professionals. In total, over $245 million in cash, luxury items, and property have been seized from those implicated.

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Legal Team Pushes Back

Despite the seriousness of the charges, Linda Sun’s legal team maintains that the allegations are overblown and politically motivated. Her attorney, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, released a statement criticizing the government’s handling of the case.

“These are sensationalized claims built on assumptions rather than evidence,” Schaeffer said. “We look forward to the opportunity to challenge every element of this case in court. The public should not rush to judgment based on a press release.”

Sun and Hu are currently being held in federal custody as pretrial proceedings get underway. A trial date is expected to be set in the coming months.

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From Public Service to Public Scandal

Sun’s fall from grace has stunned political observers in Albany, where she was once viewed as a rising star in state politics. As a close advisor to former Governor Cuomo, she played a visible role in the state’s pandemic response efforts, frequently working on interagency coordination and emergency policy implementation.

Her continuation under Governor Hochul was brief, ending quietly in late 2021. It is not yet clear whether current or former state officials are under investigation in connection with the scheme.

While the full scope of the alleged corruption is still being determined, this case adds another chapter to the post-COVID reckoning—where public trust, pandemic panic, and political power continue to collide.