Government watchdogs have initiated investigations into the Treasury Secretary's decision to grant access to the federal government's payment systems to associates of Elon Musk's team. The inquiries aim to assess the adequacy of controls over sensitive payment systems and address allegations of improper payments.
Inspector General's Audit
The Treasury's acting inspector general, Loren Sciurba, informed lawmakers about the audit focusing on the control measures of payment systems and allegations of fraudulent payments by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The review will encompass the past two fiscal years and is expected to conclude in August.
Government Accountability Office's Examination
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also joined the investigations, responding to concerns about DOGE employees' access to the federal payment system. The GAO plans to conduct thorough audits and issue reports to address the matter extensively.
Concerns have been raised by Democrats regarding the political implications of DOGE's access to critical payment systems. A federal judge has temporarily halted DOGE officials from accessing the system, citing potential risks to data integrity.
Treasury officials have defended the access granted to DOGE, emphasizing the team's efforts in studying and enhancing the government's payment system. Recent disclosures revealed an incident where a DOGE employee was briefly given unauthorized access, which was promptly rectified.
As the investigations unfold, it is crucial to maintain transparency and accountability in managing sensitive payment systems. The ongoing scrutiny underscores the importance of upholding the integrity of financial operations within the government.