# FEMA 'Shadow Administrator' Was Paid by DOGE Member's Startup

A person operating as an unofficial administrator at FEMA received payments for months from a startup linked to a member of Elon Musk's DOGE team. This raises potential conflicts of interest about private influence inside the federal emergency agency.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### Technology
- [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/femas-shadow-administrator-was-paid-by-a-doge-members-startup-for-months/) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000