Former Cuomo aide under investigation tours White House

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, was under federal investigation for allegedly acting as a foreign agent for China while she toured the White House in May. The visit was arranged by Queens Representative Grace Meng, who confirmed her office's involvement in facilitating the tour. At the time, Sun was being scrutinized by Brooklyn federal prosecutors for using her position to promote the interests of the Chinese government. Sun's career began as a chief of staff for Meng when she was first elected to the state Assembly in 2009, and she later joined the Cuomo administration as a liaison to the Asian American community. Despite the ongoing investigation, she continued to hold various positions in state government, eventually becoming a deputy chief of staff under Hochul in 2021. The indictment against Sun details how she and her husband received gifts from Chinese officials while she was in office, raising concerns about her influence on American political processes. Meng's spokesperson expressed shock at the allegations, emphasizing that her office was unaware of Sun's actions and condemning any foreign attempts to undermine American democracy. The White House clarified that the tour was a standard public visit, which does not include access to sensitive areas or meetings with officials. The situation has raised questions about communication between federal authorities and state offices regarding investigations, particularly concerning the Foreign Agents Registration Act.