A former aide to New York Governor Cathy Hochul has been accused of performing as an agent of the Chinese language authorities.
A federal indictment alleges that Linda Solar, 41, “acted on the order, path or request” of China in trade for thousands and thousands of {dollars} throughout her 14-year state authorities profession. Her husband Christopher Hu was additionally accused of being a Chinese language agent.
The couple had been arrested on Tuesday at their $3.5 million (£2.7 million) Lengthy Island house, months after it was raided as a part of an FBI investigation.
Ms Solar was fired almost two years in the past after Ms Hochul's workplace, who took workplace as governor in 2021, discovered “proof of misconduct” and reported it to authorities.
Each had been to face federal court docket in Brooklyn on prices together with violation of the Overseas Brokers Registration Act, visa fraud, bringing in aliens and cash laundering conspiracy.
Prosecutors say Ms Solar acted as an “undisclosed agent of the Chinese language authorities” whereas her husband “facilitated the conversion of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in kickbacks for private achieve”.
He’s accused of stopping representatives of the Taiwanese authorities from talking with New York officers, offering Chinese language officers with unauthorized letters of invitation to america, and altering authorities officers' messages about China.
Christy Curtis, performing assistant director of the FBI, mentioned Ms. Solar “used her place … to covertly promote” the Chinese language agenda, a “direct risk to our nation's nationwide safety.”
In return, Ms Solar was paid thousands and thousands of {dollars} in rewards, prosecutors say. They had been additionally given present tickets, journey privileges and meals, together with Nanjing-style salted duck, in keeping with the indictment.
The indictment alleges that the couple embezzled giant sums of cash to purchase luxurious gadgets, together with a Ferrari sports activities automotive and properties in Hawaii and New York.
“The unlawful scheme enriched the defendant's household to the tune of thousands and thousands of {dollars},” mentioned U.S. Lawyer Brion Pease.
Mr Hu ran a number of companies in New York, together with a seafood exporter, a wine retailer and a monetary consultancy, and sometimes relied on the providers of a Chinese language government-approved freight agent, the indictment mentioned.
Ms Solar has held a number of prime posts within the state's government department and state enterprises since 2012, and served as Ms Hochul's deputy for almost a 12 months earlier than she was ousted in 2023.
The governor's workplace mentioned Ms Solar was initially employed by the earlier administration of Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
“This particular person was employed by the manager chamber over a decade in the past,” a spokesman advised the BBC.
“After discovering proof of misconduct, we terminated his employment in March 2023, instantly reported his actions to legislation enforcement and assisted legislation enforcement all through this course of.”
The FBI raided the couple's $3.5m (£2.7m) house in July.