Opening statements took place Wednesday in the trial of Linda Sun, an alleged Chinese agent who had been an aide to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and current Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were arrested last year at their nearly $4 million mansion in Manhasset on the North Shore of Long Island. The 19-count indictment, which is more than 50 pages long, alleges the two gained millions in benefits and bought luxurious properties, including a condo in Honolulu and numerous fancy cars, including a Ferrari. Hu, a liquor store owner, is accused of money laundering and bank fraud.

The two have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution's opening statement

Sun served as a former deputy chief of staff, among other jobs, during her 13 years in state government. Prosecutors allege she was secretly an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, prevented officials from Taiwan from gaining access to the governor's office, forged Hochul's signature, and tampered with messages by New York state officials on issues of importance to China. 

Hochul previously said she was "outraged and absolutely shocked" by Sun's alleged behavior, calling it "a betrayal of trust."

Sun is also accused of illegally profiting from the state's bulk purchase of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's alleged she used her position of influence to steer contracts to certain vendors, like her cousin and vendors in China.

Prosecutors told jurors Sun "betrayed the state of New York for the Chinese government" and that her "loyalty was for sale."

Defense's opening statement

Defense attorneys argued that Sun did what she was hired to do. They painted a picture of the beginning of the pandemic and reminded jurors of the overflowing hospitals and desperation for PPE. They argued she located tens of thousands of ventilators, masks and other items, which were made in China.

They said she is not a foreign agent.

"She is an American and she is a New Yorker," they said, adding she was communicating with China because that was her job to "foster trade and good relations."

Her attorneys did ask jurors to keep an open mind, saying she did receive gifts because it's a cultural thing. However they also said there is no connection between the gifts and the things she is accused of doing.

Attorneys for Hu argued working hard and being successful were not crimes.

"You can't launder proceeds of a crime that didn't happen," defense attorneys said.

Read the indictment