Context:

Larry He, a former adviser to Andrew M. Cuomo and current chief of staff for State Assemblyman William Colton, previously held senior roles at a Chinese state-owned oil company, a detail omitted from his résumé. This omission has sparked concerns over potential Chinese government influence in U.S. politics, particularly given his past interactions with Chinese government and Communist Party officials. After the matter came to light, He resigned from Cuomo's campaign to avoid being a distraction, while denying any past or present links to the Chinese Communist Party. Despite his resignation, questions remain about the extent of his ties to China and the implications for political influence, especially considering ongoing investigations into Chinese efforts to infiltrate New York politics. Larry He, now a naturalized U.S. citizen, insists on his independence from any foreign influences, emphasizing his commitment to serving the public in the United States.

Dive Deeper:

• Larry He previously worked as chairman of a state-owned oil company in China, a role typically associated with close ties to the Chinese government, which he did not include in his résumé when joining Andrew M. Cuomo’s campaign as an Asian outreach director.

• Concerns have been raised about He's potential influence from the Chinese government, as his former role involved interactions with government and Communist Party officials, making him a target for pressure or co-option according to experts in Chinese politics.

• Following inquiries about his past employment, He resigned from Cuomo's campaign, emphasizing his independence from Chinese governmental influence and calling the premise of the concerns xenophobic and harmful.

• The backdrop of He's resignation includes ongoing concerns about Chinese influence in New York politics, highlighted by other cases involving former aides to Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams being investigated for similar connections.

• Despite his past in China, He became a naturalized U.S. citizen after renouncing his Chinese citizenship and transitioned into American politics, initially working for electric grid operators and eventually becoming chief of staff for Assemblyman William Colton in Brooklyn.