A former aide to New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hockle, who has been accused by the Justice Department of being a spy for China, toured the White House earlier this year, a White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Linda Sun's visit to the White House was facilitated by Democratic Rep. Grace Meng of Queens, who said she “enjoyed the historic rooms and [did] It does not include access to White House offices, staff or nonpublic information,” the official said.
“Tours are available to any member of the public through their congressional offices and this tour was arranged by Representative Meng, per standard procedure,” the official also told Fox News Digital.
The New York Post reported, citing sources, that Sun visited the White House in May because the investigation was already underway, and a few days after the visit, Sun posted on Facebook that he had “visited the White House.” [check emoji]check out our favorite female legislators [check emoji]tour the Capitol with your favorite female legislator [check emoji]”
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Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hockle, is accused of using Chinese Communist Party funds to buy $6 million worth of real estate in New York and Hawaii. (Getty Images)
A spokesman for Meng told the paper that Sun and Meng had been photographed on the steps outside the House of Representatives chamber, adding: “It is clear that no one knew anything about the conduct she is now being accused of, which is deeply disturbing and shocking.”
“Her request clearly would not have been considered if any had been known. The tour does not include any visits to the Oval Office or the West Wing or any interactions with senior administration officials,” the spokesman reportedly added.
Authorities arrested both Sun, 40, and her husband, Chris Foo, 41, in early September.
Sun was charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy. He allegedly acted on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party. Hawkle fired Sun last year after his office found evidence of wrongdoing.
“This individual was employed by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her conduct to law enforcement, and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process,” Hoekl's office said in a statement.
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Linda Sun, center, an aide to former New York Governor Kathy Hockle, and her husband, Christopher Hu, second from left, leave the Brooklyn federal courthouse after their arraignment on Tuesday, September 3, in New York City. (AP Photo/Corey Shipkin)
The FBI searched Sun's Long Island, New York, home in late July, but no arrests had been made at the time.
In the federal indictment, prosecutors allege that Sun, on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, “engaged in numerous political activities for the interests of the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party, including blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from accessing the New York State Governor's office.”
They said Sun provided “unauthorized invitations from the New York state governor's office” that were used to facilitate Chinese government officials' travel to the United States and meetings with New York state government officials.
“In return for these and other actions, Defendant Linda Sun received substantial economic and other benefits from representatives of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party,” the indictment reads.
“Mr. Son and Mr. Hu laundered the proceeds from the scheme to purchase a $3.6 million property in Manhattan, New York, a $1.9 million condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a variety of luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Ferrari,” the report states. “Mr. Son failed to disclose to the New York State government any benefits he received from representatives of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, despite being required to do so as a New York State government employee.”
Prosecutors have accused Sun of acting as a spy for China and of “deriving substantial economic and other benefits” through his activities. (AP Photo/Corey Shipkin)
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Meng's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Saturday.
Fox News' Anders Hagstrom and David Spunt contributed to this report.
