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DOGE Staffer ‘Big Balls’ Linked to Cybercrime Group, Records Show

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Edward Coristine, known by his nickname “Big Balls,” a key member of Elon Musk’s DOGE Service team, provided technical support to a cybercrime group involved in illegal activities, including cyberstalking and data trafficking, according to digital records reviewed by Reuters.

Coristine’s Role in DiamondCDN and EGodly

Coristine, a 19-year-old technologist, founded a company named DiamondCDN around 2022, which offered network services. The company was linked to EGodly, a cybercrime ring that boasted about engaging in criminal activities such as stealing data and cyberstalking law enforcement officials. Digital records show that between October 2022 and June 2023, DiamondCDN’s infrastructure was used to support EGodly’s website, dataleak.fun, which was involved in cybercrimes. EGodly publicly thanked DiamondCDN for providing them with DDoS protection and caching systems.

Connection to Government Agencies

Despite these associations, Coristine has been recognized for his work with U.S. government agencies. He is listed as a “senior adviser” at the State Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). His name also appears in their staff directories, raising concerns about his involvement in securing government networks despite his previous ties to cybercriminals. Coristine describes himself as a “Volunteer (Intern) Plumber” with the U.S. government on his LinkedIn profile.

EGodly’s Cybercrimes and FBI Targeting

EGodly, the group with which Coristine’s company had ties, was known for a variety of cybercrimes, including hijacking phone numbers, breaking into law enforcement email accounts, and stealing cryptocurrency. The group also posted personal information about an FBI agent they targeted for harassment. The group’s members were reportedly involved in the dangerous practice of swatting, which involves making hoax emergency calls to send armed officers to targeted locations. Law enforcement has been aware of EGodly’s activities due to its connection to cybercrime and swatting incidents.

Concerns Over National Security

Nitin Natarajan, former deputy director of CISA, expressed concern over the potential risks posed by Coristine’s past associations with EGodly, noting that it is troubling for someone with such connections to hold a position in government security. This raises questions about the vetting process and the broader implications of such individuals gaining access to sensitive government networks.

Engineers Behind Musk’s Efforts to Reshape U.S. Government Infrastructure

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Elon Musk is reportedly relying on a group of young engineers with limited government experience to support his ambitious reshaping of U.S. federal government infrastructure. Here are details on three key figures playing a significant role in this transformation:

Gavin Kliger
Gavin Kliger, a former senior software engineer at AI startup Databrinks, has been serving as a “Special Advisor to the Director” at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) since January 2024. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2020 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, boasting an impressive GPA of 3.95. Kliger has previously worked at Twitter and is known for his writings on Substack, where he has published essays on topics such as political figures like Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. His writings echo some of the same themes Musk is known for, particularly around challenging entrenched power structures. Kliger has remained active on social media, reposting Musk’s statements and aligning himself with Musk’s tech-driven goals, including promoting the idea of transforming government efficiency.

Luke Farritor
Luke Farritor, a former intern at SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of software for fueling rockets, has a background in computer science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Farritor is a Thiel Fellow, having received $100,000 to focus on a project involving ancient Greek scrolls. His deep ties to the tech world, particularly Musk’s ventures, extend to his role as an executive engineer in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Farritor has also gained access to USAID systems and has been involved in efforts to integrate Musk’s technology into federal systems, including requests for access to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ payment systems. His growing influence in government tech initiatives signals his role in Musk’s push for modernization.

Edward Coristine
Edward Coristine, a young tech entrepreneur with a brief tenure at Musk’s Neuralink, is listed as an expert at OPM. Coristine, who reportedly graduated from high school and attended Northeastern University, has already founded several tech companies, including one called Tesla.Sexy LLC, and has contributed to Neuralink’s code base. His business ventures are based out of New Canaan, Connecticut, and he has been involved in cutting-edge tech projects. Despite his brief experience, Coristine’s entrepreneurial background and involvement with Musk’s initiatives reflect the kind of fresh, non-traditional talent Musk is bringing to government functions.

Together, these engineers reflect Musk’s strategy of relying on highly skilled, non-governmental experts to drive innovation and shake up bureaucratic processes in the U.S. federal government.