Young Engineer's Ties to Elon Musk Raise Concerns Over Access to Cash Flow of U.S. Government

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A 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, who previously worked for Elon Musk's companies, has secured administrator-level access to sensitive Treasury Department systems that manage U.S. government payments, according to sources reported by WIRED. Elez has access to the Payment Automation Manager and Secure Payment System—key systems overseeing over $5 trillion in federal disbursements annually, which encompass Social Security benefits, tax returns, and more.

Sources indicate that while Musk's task force, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is traditionally limited to read-only access, Elez’s privileges let him modify critical payment mechanisms. This level of access raises alarms regarding potential misuse, as it could allow unauthorized alteration or halting of funds directed toward vital federal programs.

Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, have expressed concern that DOGE's influence could jeopardize funding for essential services. The recent resignation of acting Treasury Secretary David Lebryk, who opposed granting these privileges, further fuels fears about oversight lapses within the Treasury.

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