The current restructuring of the federal government by Elon Musk and a team of young tech enthusiasts is seen as controversial, with the agencies reportedly being stripped of their purpose, funding, and staffing. This team, consisting of individuals in their twenties, is allegedly connected to a network of tech-savvy individuals with controversial ideologies. Despite these concerns, none of these individuals are reportedly related to foreign intelligence operations.
One of the notable members of this group, a 19-year-old named Edward Coristine, also known as “Big Balls,” is attracting attention. Coristine, a former member of an online cybercriminal organization, The Com, was dismissed from his previous cybersecurity job for allegedly leaking company secrets. It has now emerged, according to independent journalist Jacob Silverman, that Coristine is the grandson of Valery Martynov, a former KGB spy.
Silverman’s research reveals that Martynov worked in the technical espionage division of the Russian intelligence agency in the 1980s, operating undercover at the Soviet Embassy in the United States. During his posting, Martynov began providing the FBI with Soviet secrets. However, Martynov was subsequently identified as compromised by KGB officer Victor Cherkashin. In a covert operation to return him to Russia without suspicion, Martynov was later arrested and executed upon arrival.
Coristine’s grandmother eventually relocated to the United States, where her family settled, including Edward. Coristine began his tenure at DOGE by working on the General Services Administration, reportedly interrogating employees about their work and code. Recently, he was appointed as a “senior adviser” in the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, which handles sensitive diplomatic data. This position, according to The Washington Post, could potentially give him unauthorized access to classified material.
Concerns have been raised due to Coristine’s access to sensitive data without having undergone a formal background check. This situation highlights the complexities and potential risks associated with the current management of sensitive government agencies.
