A whistleblower’s allegations have sparked scrutiny regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its handling of federal employee misconduct. The claims involve a federal employee supposedly evading accountability while living in Florida but still drawing a full salary as if he were based in Washington, D.C. The whistleblower, who reported these concerns to Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), highlighted the case of Antonio Carraway, a member of the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), who allegedly has resided in south Florida for several years while continuing to receive compensation typical of an employee stationed in the capital. This revelation indicates potential exploitation of system loopholes by federal workers, raising questions about the integrity of government operations.
In a letter directed to Acting HUD Secretary Adrienne Todman, which was obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail, Senator Ernst detailed the allegations against Carraway. The accusations included claims that Carraway was enjoying a “retire-in-place” status, receiving 100 percent taxpayer-funded union time despite having established a life and reportedly a part-time real estate career in Florida. Ernst expressed skepticism regarding Carraway’s ability to manage property transactions outside of the hours for which he receives federal pay. These concerns reflect a broader issue of federal employees not adequately fulfilling their work duties while continuing to benefit financially from government positions.
Senator Ernst characterized the situation as emblematic of a larger problem prevalent within the federal workforce, where employees appear to exploit their positions for personal gain. The senator argued that these cases demonstrate the systemic inefficiencies of government agencies and the ongoing issue of underperforming bureaucrats. By highlighting the example of Carraway, Ernst aims to bring attention to the need for stricter accountability measures to safeguard taxpayer interests. She indicated her intention to pursue actions to compel bureaucrats to either perform their responsibilities effectively or face termination, framing the issue as not only a matter of waste but also one of public service integrity.
The whistleblower’s revelations align with Ernst’s research into the inefficiency and waste associated with telework in government agencies. In a recent report titled “Out of Office: Bureaucrats on the beach and in bubble baths but not in office buildings,” Ernst outlined a troubling trend of federal employees fraudulently claiming locality pay intended for those working in Washington while living in locations far removed from the capital. For instance, her findings included the case of a senior employee with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), who allegedly circumvented the system by using a Virginia address for work correspondence despite residing in Florida and not adhering to telework office visit requirements.
Further investigations revealed that the employee had continued to claim higher D.C. locality pay under the supervision of an accomplice who was purportedly aware of the fraudulent arrangement. Despite clear evidence of misconduct, the case resulted in dropped criminal charges, allowing the employee to retire without facing consequences for the questionable actions. This situation underscored significant challenges in enforcing ethical standards and accountability within federal institutions, leading Senator Ernst to propose the REMOTE Act. This legislation aims to gather data on telework impacts through enhanced monitoring of bureaucratic computer usage, with the goal of fostering a culture of accountability and better performance standards.
Senator Ernst’s push for reform is framed as a necessary step in transforming how federal agencies operate, especially in light of the increased telework provisions that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized the critical need for immediate change to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and that government employees provide the quality of service that veterans, seniors, and all Americans deserve. By publicly addressing these matters and seeking legislative solutions, Ernst hopes to galvanize support for reshaping government practices to better align with taxpayer expectations and restore trust within public institutions. In doing so, she underscores the importance of holding federal employees accountable for their performance and ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent responsibly.