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Judge says Elon Musk engaged intimidation of ex-FEMA CFO Mary Comans
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal magistrate judge in Virginia ruled that Elon Musk engaged in "state sanctioned intimidation" by posting false accusations against ex-FEMA CFO Mary Comans on X, alleging she was involved in criminal activity and funneling $58 million to illegal migrant hotels.
- At the time of the posts in February 2025, Musk was serving as head of DOGE under the Trump administration, and the Department of Homeland Security subsequently fired Comans and labeled her and colleagues as "deep state activists."
- U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick cleared Comans' name, stating that high-ranking officials, including Musk, coordinated a campaign to damage her personal and professional reputation.
- The judge emphasized that Musk knowingly spread falsehoods to millions of followers, characterizing Comans' government service as criminal, which constituted state-sanctioned intimidation.
- Democracy Defenders Fund praised the ruling, highlighting Comans' 21 years of federal service and condemning the politicization of career public servants' reputations.
