A former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul helped a Chinese official eavesdrop on a conference call and forged the governor's signature as part of a lucrative scheme to advance Beijing's interests, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.

A former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul helped a Chinese official eavesdrop on a conference call and forged the governor’s signature as part of a lucrative scheme to advance Beijing’s interests, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.