Posted on 03/16/2025 8:17:10 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
A watchdog group has filed a conflict-of-interest complaint over concerns that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has “blatantly” pressured the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use Starlink.
The Washington, DC-based Campaign Legal Center also filed a lawsuit to stop Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from making “unlawful” cuts to the federal budget.
On Thursday, the group sent the 12-page conflict-of-interest complaint about Musk to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Transportation, which oversees the FAA. The center argues that the billionaire is using his position in the Trump administration to push the FAA into buying Starlink dishes, enriching SpaceX and Musk in the process.
“If Musk participated in or directed discussions with FAA employees concerning business transactions with Starlink, he may have violated the criminal conflict of interest law and corrupted FAA’s business relationship with Starlink,” the group says.
Specifically, the Campaign Legal Center points out Musk may be violating US law 18 USC 208. The statute "prohibits an executive branch employee from participating personally and substantially in a particular Government matter that will affect his own financial interests, as well as the financial interests of certain individuals with whom he has ties outside the Government,” according to the US Office of Government Ethics.
The White House says Musk is a "special government employee," meaning he should fall under 18 USC 208, according to the Campaign Legal Center. The group also points to media reports and Musk’s own tweets that suggest the SpaceX CEO is directly involved in pushing the FAA to use Starlink over Verizon, which has a $2.4 billion contract with the FAA.
The watchdog group is urging the OIG to investigate whether the FAA’s dealings with Starlink violate 18 USC 208, which is designed to punish offenders with a fine...
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
If it’s a better product, let them use Starlink.
Elon Musk has described his work, as “technical support” for, and “consultant” to, the President.
The far-left, democrats and the deep state considers Elon— Public Enemy Number one now.
They will go ‘scorched earth’ to bring Elon down.
Sounds like Verizon is paying off the Campaign Legal Center...
Starling won the original bid. Biden cancelled it in favor of fiber optics (Verizon).
"US law 18 USC 208. The statute 'prohibits an executive branch employee from participating personally and substantially in a particular Government matter that will affect his own financial interests'"
Musk is not an employee.
If this is true, it was a mistake.
The Campaign Legal Center is a far left “watchdog” group dedicated to destroying Republicans especially President Trump. They are the one’s who need to be investigated.
“Can you hear me now?
“Yes, but no video”
“Darn... okay, let me use Starlink. Can you see me now?”
“Clear!”
Nobody’s losing their mind in Ukraine about not having Verizon, I know that much. But threaten to turn off starlink access and watch the fireworks. Just sayin’
BINGO!
We all knew they’d do this. Stinks, sure, but inevitable. They really have it in for Musk.
I’d bet good money Musk didn’t talk to anyone at FAA about Starlink other than possibly answering questions posed to him from them.
The left is in full lawfare mode against Trump and Musk and the media is with the left.
Tell em he will do it for free. Or for cost.
Musk is wearing more than one hat. As the ceo of companies he has a duty to promote their products. Now if he were to make purchasing decisions when wearing his government employee hat there would be a conflict of interest. But have they shown he is making the decision or threatening the people that are?
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