A government whistleblower who raised alarms about the data security practices of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims he was deliberately targeted by Musk himself, leading to a terrifying incident where his car's brake lines were cut.
Dan Berulis, an IT staffer at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), filed a congressional whistleblower complaint on April 14, 2025. He alleged that DOGE, which was operating with little oversight and had been rapidly expanding within government agencies, had compromised the NLRB's data and appeared to be exfiltrating it. Berulis also noted suspicious login attempts from a Russian IP address shortly after DOGE members accessed the agency's data.
The day after filing his complaint, Berulis went public with his accusations via an NPR article. He detailed receiving a threatening note with drone-taken photos of him and his dog, fueling his fear that speaking out had made him a target. Now, in a defamation lawsuit filed on April 17 and recently made public, Berulis alleges that Musk escalated the threats by publicly dismissing his whistleblower claims as false.
The alleged targeting intensified on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Shortly after leaving his home, Berulis discovered his car's brake lines had been deliberately cut, causing him to crash into a stop sign. This incident occurred just after Musk had reshared a post on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting Berulis' whistleblower claim was fabricated and that the Department of Justice was investigating him. The original post, from an account known for spreading misinformation, included Berulis' name and photograph.
According to the lawsuit, Musk's post prompted online calls for Berulis' prosecution and harm, putting him at "increased risk of physical harm." The lawsuit details how Berulis was increasingly concerned about his personal safety, especially after realizing that his new home address, only known to a few official entities, might have been compromised. Following the incident, Berulis canceled his lease and moved out, stating he no longer felt safe at his previous residence.
A police report viewed by WIRED indicates that while fingerprints were found on Berulis' car, the case was marked "inactive" due to a lack of specific suspect information. Berulis’ lawyer, Andrew Bakaj of Whistleblower Aid, was present at the scene. Berulis also reported Musk's post to X's trust and safety team but was informed it did not violate platform policies. Berulis' legal team maintains that the NLRB's Inspector General was investigating allegations related to DOGE's access to systems, refuting claims that investigations were closed. Berulis officially left the NLRB on April 29, 2025.
Berulis' spokesperson, Kel McClanahan, stated that Berulis seeks to be "made whole and live in peace" after his life was threatened and his name was smeared. Despite the risks involved, Berulis believes filing the lawsuit is worthwhile, hoping it will expose more about DOGE's operations and Musk's involvement, potentially aiding other litigants. If successful, he intends to use any proceeds to support other whistleblowers.
