It’s an upmarket liquor store in a modest New York neighborhood where shoppers’ biggest concern used to be whether spending $5,000 on a bottle of whiskey was a good idea. Now there’s an even bigger problem.
The store’s owner, Christopher Hu, 40, and his wife Linda Sun, 41, were arrested this week at their $4.1 million mansion on Long Island as part of a major FBI operation to shut down a “Chinese spy ring” that had infiltrated the upper echelons of the Democratic Party.
Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to state Gov. Kathy Hochul and a former aide to Andrew Cuomo, was accused of acting as an unidentified agent of the Chinese government and using the proceeds of her illegal work to fund the family’s lavish lifestyle. She and her husband, a businessman, were also charged with money laundering. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Residents and customers of Hu’s Queens liquor store, Leivine Wine & Spirits, were stunned by the arrests. One customer left an online review this week saying, “The store is very nice. However, I am a little concerned that the owner and his wife have been arrested by the FBI.”
Linda Sun, an aide to former New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and her husband, Christopher Hu, hold hands as they leave Brooklyn Federal Court after her arraignment Tuesday. Sun is accused of being an aide to the Chinese government
Premium spirits and wines fill the shelves of Leivine Wine & Spirits
The most expensive items were displayed behind the cash register, including a bottle of Dalmore single malt whiskey imported from Scotland, aged for 30 years and priced at a staggering $5,200.
The store is located in the heart of Flushing at 33-70 Farrington Street and features a huge collection of some of the most expensive premium wines and spirits on the market.
Located on the lower level of the building, top-of-the-line offerings adorn the shelves, with a bottle of 30-year-old Dalmore single malt whiskey imported from Scotland priced at a staggering $5,200.
Inside are decorative bottles including vodka bottles shaped like a Ukrainian-made rifle and an oversized gold screw, along with specialty rum in a bottle shaped like a baseball bat.
The store also features a temperature-controlled wine room with bottles priced at eye-popping prices ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.
There were three framed pictures on the wall.
One of them had a certificate from the New York State Liquor Authority. The second, a certificate of authenticity dated September 20, 2022.
The third image was two framed hundred dollar bills.
A young man of Asian descent, and a store employee, was shocked when he heard the news that his boss, Christoper Hu, and his wife had been arrested.
“No way,” the 20-year-old told DailyMail.com.
‘I had no idea.’
The employee, who shared that the store opened in 2022, He said he had only been working there for a few months and added that Hu From time to time he stops by his wife’s house.
Asked if Hu is a good boss, the young man laughed and replied: “He is a boss.”
Hu’s liquor store is one of several business ventures he has undertaken in recent years. He also started a company called Medical Supplies USA during the pandemic. The New York Times reported.
When DailyMail.com asked the US Attorney’s Office why the liquor store was still open after Hu’s arrest, a spokesperson said “no comment.”
The exclusive Dalmore single malt whisky was prominently displayed behind the counter.
The Flushing store is Hu’s only location.
Sun was dramatically arrested Tuesday along with her husband following a dawn raid on their $4 million home in Manhasset, Long Island.
Sun and Hu are accused of earning millions in bribes from the Chinese Communist Party, which helped them fund a lavish lifestyle that included a $2 million Hawaii condo and a 2024 Ferrari.
Sun is also alleged to have used his influence to promote China’s geopolitical agenda by banning meetings with Taiwanese officials and diverting his messages from criticism of Beijing’s persecution of Uighur Muslims.
She and her husband pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday. Her bail was set at $1.5 million, while Hu’s is $500,000.
Hochul said she has been assisting the Justice Department with its investigation for months and will continue to work alongside them.
She criticized Sun’s actions as an “absolute betrayal of the trust of two administrations in state government,” which she said included forging his signature on documents.
Hochul also stressed that she remains confident in the vetting process, saying Sun had no real influence over her policies as a “mid-level aide.”
Huang Ping, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, was dismissed following Sun’s spying allegations.
The couple outside Brooklyn Federal Court after their arraignment on Tuesday
The couple’s $4 million mansion located in the exclusive Stone Hill development in Manhasset
Neighbours of the couple’s luxury home in Manhasset on Long Island, New York, spoke to DailyMail.com about their shock following the arrests.
One resident said he saw more than 20 FBI cars and the canine unit near his home about six weeks ago while he was walking his dog.
“It was amazing,” he recalled.
“Everyone is very surprised and shocked. None of us really knew who they were.”
He said the only time he spoke to Hu was when he moved into the multi-million dollar mansion about three or four years ago, although others believe they have lived there longer.
The neighbor shared that Hu told him he was a contractor when he asked what he did and that he had several other businesses.
He also said he occasionally saw Sun and an older woman, who may also live in the house, out for walks around the community.
Another neighbor said they “stayed away” but “occasionally had parties and people over.”
“Nobody knows what each person does. It’s a very private area and people go about their business and stay out of it,” he added.
She said that when they first moved in, she noticed they had done a lot of renovations to their house.
The neighbor recalled being home the day the couple’s three cars were impounded, but could not remember what type of vehicles they owned.
Describing the scene, he said the street was completely blocked and he saw items being taken out of the house late into the night.
Asked what he thought about his neighbor being an alleged Chinese agent, he seemed puzzled.
“What secrets can you get from the governor of New York State to give to the Chinese?” he asked.