Uncanny Valley | WIRED WIRED News Update: DOGE’s Many Conflicts of Interest & Elon’s Weekend Email Chaos
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Feb 26, 2025 Brian Barrett, Executive Editor at WIRED, dives into the web of conflicts of interest surrounding Dogecoin, particularly concerning officials at HUD and their ties to the real estate sector. He uncovers the ethical dilemmas posed by these connections. The conversation also turns to Elon Musk's chaotic email to federal workers, revealing how it sent shockwaves through government operations and impacted employee morale. The discussion blends tech, politics, and the tumultuous interplay between leadership and its repercussions in the crypto world.
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HUD Conflicts of Interest
- Two HUD employees, Scott Langmack and Michael Mirsky, have ties to real estate and mobile home industries, respectively.
- This raises concerns about conflicts of interest given HUD's access to housing data.
Dual Employment Concerns
- Langmack's status at Cocoon, a real estate data company, is unclear, while Mirsky is on a leave of absence from TCC Management, a mobile home company.
- This pattern of dual employment within DOGE raises concerns about conflicts of interest.
Treasury Conflicts of Interest
- Tom Krause, DOGE's representative at Treasury, is also CEO of Cloud Software Group, which has millions in contracts with the U.S. government, including Treasury.
- This raises concerns about conflicts of interest, especially regarding contract renewals.