Ex–NY Official Accused of Spying for China Said Hochul Was “More Obedi

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A former top New York state official who is accused of spying for China once remarked that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was “much more obedient” than then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Linda Sun made the remark after she convinced Hochul, who served as Cuomo’s lieutenant governor at the time, to film a Lunar New Year video touting China’s New York consulate, the New York Post reported, citing evidence presented at Sun’s corruption trial.

“She is much more obedient than the governor,” Sun wrote to China consular official Lihua Li in a Jan. 25, 2021, message shown to jurors in Brooklyn federal court.

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Linda Sun is charged with being an aide to the Chinese government. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

Minutes later, Sun texted Huang Ping, who headed the consulate office at the time.

“The deputy governor listens to me more than the governor does,” she allegedly wrote, prosecutors said.

Chinese officials had asked for Cuomo to film the video, but Sun told them that she could likely get Hochul to participate instead, prosecutors said.

“Let me ask, but likely the LG can probably do it,” Sun replied to Li, referring to Hochul.

“That would be great as well. Thanks,” Li responded.

In the two-minute video, Hochul is seen wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year and talking about the “privilege” of working with the Chinese-American community and the Chinese consular office. Fox News Digital has reached out to Hochul’s office.

Sun, who also served under Hochul, is charged with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy.

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