NYFD Commissioner Robert Tucker’s ties to China prompt federal investigation into foreign influence.
At a Glance
- FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker is under scrutiny for ties to China amid a federal investigation into foreign influence.
- Tucker worked for T&M USA LLC, a security firm with Chinese billionaire Miles Guo as a client.
- Lin Gui’an, associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), recommended for a top NYPD position by Tucker.
- Broader concerns arise over China’s influence in New York following recent espionage-related arrests.
Federal Investigation into Foreign Influence
New York Fire Department Commissioner Robert Tucker’s connections to China have come under scrutiny amid a federal investigation investigating foreign influence on New York City officials. The inquiry has drawn attention due to Tucker’s past role as head of T&M USA LLC, a private security firm where Chinese billionaire Miles Guo was a client.
Guo Wengui, convicted of a billion-dollar fraud scheme, adds to the controversy. Tucker’s approval of an email backing Lin Gui’an, who has associations with the Chinese Communist Party, for a top New York Police Department position further raises concerns.
Amid heightened awareness of Chinese influence in New York City, these connections take on graver significance, particularly following the resignation of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. Tucker’s association with Lin Gui’an, a former hospitality worker quickly rising through the NYPD ranks to assistant director, has intensified scrutiny.
Two former New York City Fire Department chiefs were arrested Monday by federal authorities conducting a corruption investigation. https://t.co/FH2ktHDvi4
— StarNewsOnline (@StarNewsOnline) September 16, 2024
Links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Lin Gui’an, linked to the Chinese Communist Party and CCP-controlled community groups like the United Front, has attended events and received awards from China-related organizations. This connection draws suspicion about the extent of foreign influence on New York’s security apparatus, especially given recent spy-related crackdowns.
Lin has longstanding ties with Chinese American groups linked to the CCP, dating back to his arrival in the United States in 1993. His rapid rise through the NYPD ranks began in 2022 when he joined the department and swiftly became the first Chinese American assistant chief in NYPD history despite limited policing experience.
Broader Context of Chinese Influence in New York
Alongside the scrutiny of Tucker and Lin, there is a broader context of increasing concerns over Chinese influence in New York. Recently, former high-ranking NYPD chiefs Brian E. Cordasco and Anthony M. Saccavino were arrested for accepting bribes to expedite fire-safety approval processes. Such incidents compound worries about the integrity of New York’s public safety institutions.
“Two former high-ranking New York Fire Department chiefs were arrested early Monday and accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to speed up the fire-safety approval process for building projects across the city. ‘They allegedly created a V.I.P. lane for faster service that could only be accessed with bribes,’” Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said at a news conference. ‘That’s classic pay-to-play corruption.’”
Concerns continue to grow as the investigation also examines senior staff trips to countries like Turkey and Qatar, funded by foreign governments and pro-policing groups. This federal probe uncovers deeper layers of potential foreign influence operating within New York’s public institutions.
