Sean Casten Questions Treasury Secretary on Payment System Access and Personnel

Treasury Payment System Security Concerns

• 📌 Representative Sean Casten highlighted constituent concerns regarding a hack into the Treasury payment system, which manages over $5 trillion annually.
• ⚠️ Casten noted that a letter with 20 questions sent to the Treasury Department received nonresponsive answers.

Allegations Regarding David Leick

• 📰 Casten questioned Treasury Secretary Bessant about a New York Times report alleging pressure on David Leick, who oversaw the payment system, after he refused access to individuals imposed by Elon Musk.
• ❌ Bessant adamantly denied the New York Times report, stating that Leick was not placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned.

Role and Experience of Tom Krauss

• ❓ Casten inquired about Tom Krauss, who now oversees the Treasury's payment system, asking if his duties include managing social security payments, overseeing bond auctions, and debt limit adherence.
• 🤷‍♂️ Bessant stated that Krauss's role is focused on a tech upgrade and ERP, not managing the $5 trillion in distributions.
• 🚫 Krauss reportedly has no prior government service experience, and his experience in the financial sector was with a private equity firm, and he remains CEO of a software company.

Access Granted to Treasury Systems

• 🧐 Casten raised concerns about testimony under oath by Mr. Jolli, stating Mario Alles was given write access to the Treasury payment system, contradicting Bessant's earlier remarks.
• 🔒 Bessant maintained that no one was given write access and he never granted anything other than read-only access.

Sentiments of a Treasury Employee

• 🗣️ Casten asked if Bessant agreed with the sentiments of an employee who reportedly said, "Normalize Indian hate and I just want a eugenic immigration policy."
• 🚫 Bessant stated he did not agree with those sentiments.