Summary

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old DOGE staffer recently promoted to a senior adviser role in the State Department, is reportedly the grandson of former KGB spy Valery Martynov.

Martynov was executed in the Soviet Union after being exposed as an FBI informant. Coristine, an alleged former cybercriminal, previously worked in the General Services Administration and now has potential access to sensitive diplomatic data.

Concerns have been raised over his background and apparent lack of a security check.

The situation fuels fears about foreign influence in U.S. government operations.

  • saltesc@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    There’s plenty to go off here, but this is a stretch.

    My grandfathers were an RAAF pilot and a South African Navy man. None of that has anything to do with what I am. I’d be unprepared if people started attacking me about such topics as I know almost nothing about them.

    • Psaldorn@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Counter point: KGB spies trained for the long con, having families, naturalising, bringing their kids into the system.

      In most other things lineage like that doesn’t matter, you’re right. But this one time…

      • KazuyaDarklight@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        In this case though the KGB agent was killed by Russia for being an FBI double agent. This is a weird angle of attack. I HATE “DODGE” and this kid almost assuredly shouldn’t be in the position they are, but for other reasons.

    • dipcart@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Is it a big deal? I have no idea. It’s just one of those details that you hear and you’re like, “Yeah that sounds like a likely thing to happen with these guys.” Yeah it is a stretch but it should be reported on. The article ends with ”Is it a big deal? I have no idea. It’s just one of those details that you hear and you’re like, ‘Yeah that sounds like a likely thing to happen with these guys.’”

      • saltesc@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        Yeah, what this article needs is some facts to base itself on.

        It could be a big deal, or also not. Nothing was presented to indicate much else, and conspiracy theories have never been much more than entertaining “what if” ideas, rarely factually pursued further.

        If it’s a big deal, present the facts as to why, otherwise I may as well be a navy man and a pilot simply by being second generation born to that. I wish that were true. Love the sky and sea.

  • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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    17 hours ago

    Even if this stupid asshole isn’t related to a KGB spy…WTAF:

    recently promoted to a senior adviser role in the State Department

    He’s a FUCKING TEENAGER. The guy cannot even legally drink. Cannot rent a car.

    • qprimed@lemmy.ml
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      1 day ago

      Per Silverman’s research, Martynov was an officer in the technical espionage division of the Russian intelligence agency back in 1980, when he was sent to the United States to serve as an undercover agent at the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. About two years into his stay, Martynov got flipped by the FBI and started to feed the US government Soviet secrets.

      so not a planted double agent.

  • wirebeads@lemmy.ca
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    1 day ago

    America is Putins puppet. Musk is sitting in between getting richer while Trump does Russia’s wants.

    Look at the Russian playbook. Look at the current U.S. playbook.

    Insert image of “the office <they’re the same image>.jpg here.

  • PantanoPete@lemmy.zip
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    5 hours ago

    So what? The KGB hasn’t existed for 30 years or more. My dad was a dead beat, what does that matter? The bigger problem is what he is doing not who his parents and grand parents were lol

  • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    “Big Balls” huh. This is 100% the same situation as calling the dude that can bench a school bus “Tiny”.

    Looking at a photo, this dude definitely has a pair of undescended testicles. They’re missing for sure.

  • Eugene V. Debs' Ghost@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    12 hours ago

    What kind of North Korean “sins of the father” shit is this?

    Punish him for his actions of helping Musk take over the government in a coup, not that his grandad did spycraft every nation did in the Cold War.

    I don’t care if he was the grandson of Jesus Christ and Buddha if he is a dipshit fascist. Fascists get called out for being fascists, not being related to one they might have never known.

    • michaelmrose@lemmy.world
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      12 hours ago

      National security isn’t fair because its more important than being fair and those who are for any reasons suspect are free to do any of the other hundreds of millions of jobs.

      People are absolutely suspect because of their associations.

      • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        National security being more important than being fair has been justification to do many of the most horrific acts in recent history.

        • michaelmrose@lemmy.world
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          2 hours ago

          Nonsense. Its normal for a small number of highly secure roles to go only to people whose loyalty is beyond and known doubt. This means if you have questonable family you can only be a CEO, scientist, dentist welder or race car driver or you know all the other jobs other than say head of the NSA or part of the team with access to all our secrets

      • Mic_Check_One_Two@reddthat.com
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        10 hours ago

        Exactly this. Top Secret clearance typically extends out to three degrees of separation. They’ll check on you, your friends/family, and their friends/family. Because when national security is concerned, they don’t want to risk a leak due to something like a cousin being a spy and going drinking after work with the employee.

      • Eugene V. Debs' Ghost@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        9 hours ago

        Then would a check to everyone of an immigrant family be acceptable? Only people who’s family have never left the country are fit to protect it?

        That feels like a violation of the 14th amendment, and ensures only redneck Republican hillbillies are the ones who ensure the safety of Americans.

        • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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          5 hours ago

          I’m not sure the people making the jingoistic comments are aware of the implications of this way of thinking.

  • grue@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    How the Hell does someone have a background as both a cybercriminal and a GSA employee at 19? I mean, sure, you can be a cybercriminal as an adolescent. But why is the GSA even hiring anybody that young at all?