While Americans were under lockdown and in dire need of PPE, Linda Sun and Chris Hu allegedly profited – purportedly enriching themselves while serving the interests of the CCP,” Patel remarked on X. “This represents corruption that jeopardized lives. The FBI will not accept public officials who betray their country.”
Sun and her spouse, Chris Hu, are accused of directing state contracts to vendors in which they had a financial stake. The couple is alleged to have amassed millions of dollars and now faces a lengthy list of federal charges, including honest services wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion, and defrauding the United States.
Prosecutors allege that Sun also falsified documents that appeared to originate from Chinese government authorities to facilitate the PPE transactions.
“As alleged, Linda Sun not only acted as an unregistered agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China, but also enriched herself to the extent of millions of dollars when New York State was at its most vulnerable at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella.
“When masks, gloves, and other protective supplies were scarce, Sun exploited her position of trust to direct contracts to her associates so that she and her husband could benefit financially. We expect more from our public servants, and this Office will persist in holding accountable public officials who profit at the expense of New York taxpayers,” he added.
“This purported scheme not only generated an unearned and undisclosed advantage for the defendants and their family members, but it also took advantage of the state’s urgent need for resources during a health crisis,” stated Christopher Raia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino noted that this case is part of a broader initiative to combat pandemic fraud — which he claims is the most extensive healthcare fraud investigation in the history of the Justice Department.
“Public corruption will not be tolerated, as the Director and I actively pursue those who have breached their oaths to all of us,” Bongino remarked on X.
“We regard the misappropriation of public funds in the same light. It constitutes a crime against all of us. Today, in collaboration with the DOJ and our federal partners, we are revealing the outcomes of the largest healthcare fraud investigation, as determined by financial losses, in DOJ history,” he continued.
“The investigation covered 50 federal districts and resulted in nearly 3 billion dollars in fraudulent claims, along with over 15 million unlawful distributions of pills. We confiscated 245 million dollars, charged 324 defendants, including 96 medical professionals, and the anticipated losses from these wrongdoers approached 15 billion dollars,” Bongino added.
“Outcomes are significant. Words are inexpensive. And this is merely the beginning of the beginning. If you are stealing from the public or violating your duty to serve, then we will pursue you as well. God bless America, and all those who protect her.”
A lawyer representing Sun is strongly contesting the charges, asserting that they are unfounded.
“The latest allegations perpetuate the government’s pattern of making and disseminating fervent accusations detached from the facts and evidence that we anticipate will actually emerge during the trial,” attorney Jarrod L. Schaeffer stated to the Post.
