New York: A former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul was charged on Tuesday with secretly performing as an agent of the Chinese language authorities in alternate for thousands and thousands of {dollars} in compensation and presents, together with meals of connoisseur duck.
Linda Solar, 41, and her husband Chris Hu, 40, pleaded not responsible to legal prices earlier than US Justice of the Peace Decide Peggy Kuo in Brooklyn, after being arrested on Tuesday morning.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn mentioned that whereas working in state authorities, Solar blocked representatives of the Taiwanese authorities from assembly with officers, and sought to rearrange for a high-level New York state official to go to China.
In alternate, Chinese language authorities representatives allegedly organized for thousands and thousands of {dollars} in transactions for Hu, who had enterprise actions in China.
Prosecutors mentioned Solar and Hu used cash to purchase a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports activities automotive, in addition to property on New York’s Lengthy Island and in Honolulu price about $US6 million ($8.9 million), prosecutors mentioned.
Different presents included Nanjing-style salted geese ready by a Chinese language authorities official’s private chef and delivered to the house of Solar’s dad and mom, prosecutors mentioned.
Hochul was not accused of any wrongdoing.
Her workplace fired Solar in March 2023 after discovering proof of misconduct, reported Solar’s actions instantly to authorities, and has assisted regulation enforcement all through the method, a spokesperson for the governor mentioned.