Former Aide to New York Governors Charged with Acting as an Agent of the Chinese Government

Who is the former aide?

Sherry Chen, a former aide to New York Governors Andrew Cuomo and David Paterson, was arrested on August 13, 2022.

What is she accused of?

Chen is accused of acting as an illegal foreign agent for the Chinese government for nearly a decade, according to charging documents unsealed in Manhattan federal court.

According to the charging documents, Chen:

• Passed sensitive information about New York state government and political figures to Chinese intelligence officers
• Promoted the interests of the Chinese government in New York
• Lobbied U.S. politicians on behalf of the Chinese government

What evidence is there against her?

The charging documents allege that Chen met with Chinese intelligence officers on multiple occasions and received payments from them. They also allege that she used her position as an aide to the governors to gain access to sensitive information.

What are the charges against her?

Chen is charged with acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, which is a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

What is the potential penalty for the charges?

If convicted, Chen faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

What is the response from the Chinese government?

The Chinese government has denied the allegations against Chen.