Latest news with #ProjectLift
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Musk Allies Made FAA Staff Sign NDAs to Keep New Project Secret
Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been spearheading a multi-million dollar communications project at the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that regulates the nation's air travel, and employees roped into it have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, sources with knowledge of the situation say. The situation fits into some broader patterns: Musk and DOGE have expressed significant influence over what happens at the FAA, which regulates Musk's space company SpaceX. And as GovExec reported Thursday, Donald Trump's administration has required employees involved with the Veterans Affairs Department's plans to fire tens of thousands of workers to sign NDAs. The world's richest man and DOGE have overseen mass firings and purges across the government, including at the FAA. At the same time, Musk has offered SpaceX's services to the agency, providing thousands of terminals from its satellite internet business, Starlink. Two months ago, The Washington Post reported that Starlink was jockeying to replace Verizon on a $2.4 billion contract with the FAA to upgrade its systems for managing America's airspace. Rolling Stone reported last month that FAA officials had recently ordered staffers to find tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal. A watchdog group, the Campaign Legal Center, last month requested that the Department of Transportation's inspector general investigate whether Starlink's business transactions with the FAA violate conflict of interest rules, given Musk's role with the administration. 'The public has a right to know that their tax dollars are being spent in the public's best interest and not to benefit a government employee's companies. That is why Musk, while he remains a special government employee … is required to comply with the criminal conflict of interest law,' Delaney Marsco, the Campaign Legal Center's ethics director, tells Rolling Stone. 'He cannot legally participate in contracts or similar matters that affect his financial interests in Starlink or SpaceX. To the extent Musk is directing subordinates or working on [a] project himself, any attempt by him to get government business for his companies raises serious ethics concerns.' Starlink has denied wanting to replace Verizon on the $2.4 billion contract. But recently, DOGE staffers who now work at the FAA have been directing FAA funds to a new initiative called 'Project Lift,' and employees involved have been made to sign NDAs to keep the details under wraps, according to three sources familiar with the situation. (All sources for this story were granted anonymity due to their fears of retaliation and so they could speak candidly about sensitive matters.) Project Lift is meant to upgrade the FAA's network communications to more modern technologies, and touches on some of the same work as the Verizon project, according to one source as well as an FAA worker. The source clarifies the project is about air traffic communications. (They both say the name 'Project Lift' was forced on the agency by DOGE.) After Rolling Stone reported that FAA staffers were told to hunt for money for a Starlink deal, the source says, 'They switched tactics — limited the pool of people who know about it and made them sign NDAs.' The source adds that 'DOGE staffers who are now FAA employees are calling the shots.' An FAA spokesperson denies this timeline, but confirmed the existence of Project Lift and the basic thrust of how sources described it to Rolling Stone. 'The federal employees running Project Lift are exploring a variety of solutions to modernize the FAA's telecommunications network,' the spokesperson says. 'Current contractors are part of the discussion.' The FAA did push back on the idea that DOGE is driving Project Lift. 'DOGE is not spearheading anything at the FAA, nor are there any DOGE employees at FAA,' the agency spokesperson says. 'Project Lift was conceived and is managed by federal employees.' Speaking about the NDAs, the FAA spokesperson says: 'Employees routinely sign non-disclosure agreements to avoid conflicts of interest.' It's not clear what company or companies are benefiting from the project, which has not been publicly announced. 'Only a few [staffers] know the exact details due to the NDAs,' the source says, adding that people 'just know DOGE is involved and anything with this project is the highest priority.' 'The billion-dollar question is: Who is getting the funding to consolidate these programs, why the secrecy, and why is DOGE all over it?' they say. 'Hedging your bets,' says the FAA worker, 'Project Lift could be an opportunity for Starlink to add itself to the portfolio of network communications for the FAA.' They say there's no guarantee that's going to happen — at least 'as of now.' The FAA worker offers another potential reason for DOGE's involvement in the project, and its 'accelerated' timeline: Amid a series of troubling air safety incidents and accidents — and public outcry about DOGE's chaotic cuts — the DOGE team wants a win that they can sell people. Two other people with knowledge of the matter say that though details remain murky, it is widely assumed internally that this project could be a perfect vehicle for embedding Musk's Starlink within the FAA's operations — should the administration decide to shove more money into the Trump adviser's business empire. Responding to the idea that Project Lift could be an opportunity for Starlink, the FAA spokesperson says: 'To update our telecommunications system, it will require multiple companies and multiple technologies — this is not a one-technology solution. That is why we are testing not only satellites, but also fiber and wireless to ensure the safety of the national airspace system.' Some FAA personnel have been implicitly threatened with having their lives ruined by potential criminal charges from the Trump Justice Department if they blab about Project Lift, according to a person familiar with the situation. Recently, when one FAA staffer was warned about leaking by a Musk-aligned superior, the staffer found the threat of prosecution laughable, given that none of the information they were aware of sounded classified, the person familiar with the situation adds. Responding to the claims that FAA staffers have been threatened with criminal charges if they share details about Project Lift, the spokesperson only says, 'As with any non-disclosure agreement across the federal government, employees must follow the rules of the agreement to ensure there is no conflict of interest.' The level of secrecy from Musk and Trump allies about Project Lift has raised alarm within the FAA, which the second Trump administration hasn't spared from its three-month campaign of fear, purging, loyalty pledges, and brazen corruption and abuses. Musk, who spent $290 million to elect Trump and Republicans last year before being selected to lead DOGE, has been serving as a temporary 'special government employee,' rather than disclose his vast financial holdings and suffer through a confirmation process. He is expected to formally depart the administration soon, though he said Tuesday he expects to continue working with DOGE in some capacity for the rest of Trump's term. Indeed, few senior administration officials and others close to Trump who spoke to Rolling Stone expect Musk to stop his meddling. 'It makes no difference, to me anyways, if Elon backs off or steps away or whatever soon,' says one of the sources with knowledge of Project Lift. 'His guys are here [at the FAA] and staying, and they've been giving orders on this stuff.' More from Rolling Stone Trump Says He Wouldn't '100 Percent' Agree America Should Be Ruled by Laws, Not Men What We Lose When America Loses AmeriCorps Trump Store Now Selling 'Trump 2028' Merch: 'Rewrite the Rules' Best of Rolling Stone The Useful Idiots New Guide to the Most Stoned Moments of the 2020 Presidential Campaign Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fort Pierce Yacht Club invests $30,000 in the Fort Pierce community in 2024
FORT PIERCE — The Fort Pierce Yacht Club, established in 1980 as an all-volunteer organization, is dedicated to promoting safe boating, clean water, and a commitment to be involved in the Fort Pierce community. In 2024, FPYC made significant contributions to the Fort Pierce community, with members volunteering several hundred hours of service. Through both the FPYC and the FPYC Foundation—the club's charitable arm—more than $30,000 was invested in local initiatives. The combined contributions raised by the FPYC membership in 2023 and 2024 amounted to a some $50,000, showcasing their commitment to supporting and enhancing the Fort Pierce community. In 2024, FPYC was sponsor of the following events: the Sunrise Kiwanis County Fair Education Exhibit, Great Waterway Cleanup, Coffee with the Mayor, Stars over St. Lucie, Main Street Fort Pierce Ghost Walk, Sights and Sounds on Second Street, Heathcote's Gardens of Light, and Project Lift. In addition to sponsorships, donations were given through the FPYC to the Original Florida Highwayman Museum, St. Lucie Learn to Read, FPPD Courageous Kids, FPPD Explorers, FPPD Santa Cop program, and Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation. Members of the FPYC have shown their dedication through active participation in a variety of local events. From serving as guides and ghosts at Main Street's annual Ghost Walk to entering a float and walking in the annual Sights and Sounds on Second Street Christmas Parade, as well as collecting trash for the Great Waterway Cleanup and volunteering at Project Lift's Wacky Raft Event, FPYC members have consistently demonstrated their commitment to making a positive impact in Fort Pierce. For the 14th year, FPYC sponsored and hosted the 4th of July Patriotic Boat Parade in Fort Pierce. Vice Commodore of Fleet Victoria Westphal, both organized and promoted the parade in the community, which led to a bigger-than-anticipated turnourt. The 2024 event was led by FPYC Commodore Linda Sampson. Another popular boat parade is the MIATC St. Lucie County Christmas Boat Parade. Michele March, FPYC Social Media and Public Relations Chairperson, along with Past Commodore Diane Korbey and VC of Fleet Victoria Westphal served on the MIATC Boat Parade committee putting in many volunteer hours. The FPYC serves as a host for the SLC Christmas Boat Parade. Collaboration with other community interests is always a goal of the FPYC and in 2024, FPYC continued their long-standing collaboration with Main Street Fort Pierce in hosting Coffee with the Mayor, and at the September 2024 meeting, Judy and Herb Bopp, members of the FPYC were recognized as volunteers of the month. The FPYC also hosts the Manatee Center's Lunch and Learn Program throughout the year and during the summer, serves as "home" for the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society for their summer series. The Fort Pierce Yacht Club continued its support of the community through memberships in Main Street Fort Pierce and Marine Industries Association of Treasure Coast. Two members of the FPYC, Charlie Hayek and Steve Holland, also serve on the Board of Main Street Fort Pierce. FPYC's Trim a Tree party, an FPYC Christmas tradition for more than 20 years, raises money for a local community organization. In 2024, SafeSpace was chosen as the recipient and the event raised $3,000 in donations and toys for the organization. The Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation, the charitable arm of the FPYC, was also actively investing in the community during 2024. The 2024 FPYC Foundation Board of Trustees included Robynn Holland, Kris Muus, Victoria Westphal, Suzie Boardman, Bob Harbison, Christa Stone, and Nancy Hector. Ever played rock/paper/scissors with a commercial diver? Or hold a fishing rod? Or get in a boat for the first time or hear about the adventures of a member of the United States Coast Guard? This is what approximately 100 students from four schools in St. Lucie Public Schools and Fort Pierce Project Lift Students did through the generosity of FPYC members, multiple sponsors, volunteers, and maritime and marine representatives. This event was hosted in February of 2024 at the FPYC and the Riverwalk Center. In November 2024, the FPYC Foundation, under the leadership of chairs Kris and Carl Muus, and their committee (Nancy Hector, Ginny Harbison, Robynn Holland, Laurie Partlo, Victoria Westphal, Chris Hector, Bob Harbison, Steve Holland, Mo Kerr, Suzi Boardman, and Michele March) presented 007 and Casino Royale, the fundraiser for the 2025 Chart Your Course Program. Thanks to their efforts and the support of the FPYC members, the Foundation will be able to host the 3rd annual Chart Your Course event in 2025. For the first time, the FPYC Foundation held a Members' Giving Month in March in conjunction with the annual Charitable On the Water Poker Run. The cumulative funds raised was a record-breaking $25,000. And mark your calendars for the 2025 Charitable On the Water Poker Run to be held on Saturday, April 12. The winning hand wins $500. The money raised allowed the FPYC Foundation to expand its donations to additional organizations in the Fort Pierce community. In May, an awards ceremony celebrated both the members' initiative and the wonderful work of the recipients. Financial awards were given to: Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County Fort Pierce Police Department - Courageous Kids Program Manatee Center Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen, Inc. Project Lift - Fort Pierce Division Stella Maris -Wesley Island Eco Camp Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation and Courageous Kids joint summer program The final donation of the year for the FPYC Foundation was a meaningful tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Dennis Hanisak, the beloved director of education at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch. A pioneering conservationist for the Indian River Lagoon, Dr. Hanisak's impactful work began in 1977 when he joined the research team at Harbor Branch. His dedication to both the environment and his students has left an enduring mark, inspiring countless individuals. In honor of his Dr. Hanisak's contributions, the donation will support "Semester by the Sea," a program he founded, ensuring his vision continues to thrive for generations to come. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fort Pierce Yacht Club invests $30,000 in Fort Pierce community in 2024
