(Web Desk) — Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was charged on Tuesday with allegedly acting as a covert agent for the Chinese government in exchange for millions of dollars in compensation and lavish gifts, including gourmet duck meals.

According to Reuters, Sun, 41, and her husband, Chris Hu, 40, pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges during their appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in Brooklyn, following their arrest earlier that day.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn allege that while employed in state government, Sun obstructed representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with state officials and attempted to facilitate a visit to China by a high-ranking New York state official.

In return, Chinese government officials allegedly arranged multimillion-dollar transactions for Hu, who was engaged in business activities in China.

Prosecutors claim that the couple used the money to purchase a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports car and properties on Long Island and in Honolulu valued at approximately $6 million. They also received other gifts, including Nanjing-style salted ducks, prepared by a Chinese government official’s personal chef and delivered to Sun’s parents’ home.

Governor Hochul has not been implicated in any wrongdoing. Her office terminated Sun’s employment in March 2023 after uncovering evidence of misconduct, promptly reported Sun’s actions to authorities, and has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation, according to a spokesperson for the governor.

Judge Kuo ordered Sun’s release on a $1.5 million bond and Hu on a $500,000 bond. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 25.

“Our client is understandably distressed by these charges,” Sun’s attorney, Jarrod Schaeffer, told reporters after the hearing.

A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington declined to comment on the matter.

Sun had joined Hochul’s team as deputy chief of staff in September 2021 after holding various positions in state agencies.

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice has intensified efforts to prosecute individuals accused of acting on behalf of adversarial nations like China and Russia without registering with the U.S. government as required by law.

Last month, Chinese academic Wang Shujun was convicted in federal court in Brooklyn for gathering information on New York-based activists advocating for democracy in China and sharing his findings with Beijing.

Sun faces eight charges, including failure to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Hu is charged with three counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud.