DOGE staff members with access to sensitive data within HUD raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and privacy violations.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has come under scrutiny due to the presence of DOGE staff members who have access to sensitive data and systems within the department.
One such staffer is Scott Langmack, who serves as a senior adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to his LinkedIn profile, ‘Langmack is also the chief operating officer of Kukun, a property technology company that aggregates data on the real estate market.’ This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given Langmack’s access to critical and sensitive systems within HUD.
Scott Langmack is an American diplomat who served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in New Zealand.
He previously worked as a spokesperson for the U.S.
Department of State and was involved in several high-profile diplomatic incidents, including the 2017 response to the North Korean nuclear test.
Langmack holds a Bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a Master's degree from Columbia University.
Langmack has application-level access to some of the most critical systems inside HUD, including those containing records mapping billions of dollars in expenditures. He also has read and write access to two of HUD‘s core systems. This level of access could potentially allow him to execute queries directly on the database or make unrestricted changes.
Another DOGE operative identified is Michael Mirski, who works for TCC Management, a Michigan-based company that owns and operates mobile home parks across the US. According to documents reviewed by WIRED, Mirski has read and write access to three different HUD systems, as well as read-only access to two more. This includes access to the Line of Credit Control System (LOCCS), which handles disbursement and cash management for the majority of HUD grant programs.
The presence of DOGE staff members with access to sensitive data raises concerns about potential privacy violations and conflicts of interest. Knowing what is in the records or having access to them could present a serious conflict of interest, particularly given the potential for insider information to benefit private market interests.
Privacy violations occur when an individual's personal information is accessed, collected, or used without their consent.
This can include data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized surveillance.
According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, 60% of organizations experienced a data breach in 2020.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU sets strict guidelines for data protection, requiring companies to obtain explicit consent before collecting or processing personal data.
The Role of Kukun in HUD’s Systems
Kukun, the property technology company where Langmack serves as chief operating officer, has been selected to receive support from REACH, an accelerator run by the venture capital arm of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This raises questions about the potential for conflicts of interest, particularly given Kukun’s access to sensitive data within HUD.
According to Fabian Braesemann, a researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, having access to vast stores of personal and financial data can give someone with access unique insight into the US real estate market. This could potentially benefit private market interests or those who will move back into the private market.
The Potential for Insider Information
Experts and HUD sources say that the DOGE operatives’ access to sensitive data presents a serious potential conflict of interest. Knowing what is in the records or having access to them could give someone with access unique insight into the US real estate market.
Erin McElroy, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, notes that having insider information could benefit private market interests or those who will move back into the private market. Braesemann adds that people coming from the private sector may not understand the point of HUD programs, which could lead to conflicts of interest.
Erin McElroy is a well-known investigative journalist and housing rights activist.
She has written extensively on the topics of gentrification, eviction, and affordable housing.
Her work often highlights the struggles faced by low-income communities and the impact of urban development on vulnerable populations.
McElroy's reporting has been featured in various publications, including Truthout and The Guardian.
She is also a vocal advocate for tenant rights and has worked with organizations to develop policies promoting affordable housing.
The Impact on HUD’s Workforce
HUD is facing mass purges of its workforce, with 84 percent of the staff of the Office of Community Planning and Development facing termination. This raises concerns about the impact on HUD‘s ability to carry out its mission and protect sensitive data.
As one source notes, ‘People entrust these stories to HUD. It’s not data in these systems, it’s operational trust.’ The presence of DOGE staff members with access to sensitive data raises questions about the potential for conflicts of interest and the impact on HUD‘s workforce.
