A government accountability organization is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate Microsoft over alleged cybersecurity misrepresentations and potential conflicts of interest involving former federal officials who later joined the tech giant.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The American Accountability Foundation on Tuesday formally requested that the Department of Justice open an investigation into Microsoft over possible violations tied to federal cybersecurity representations and the hiring of former senior government officials connected to prior oversight of the company.
In letters sent to acting DOJ Inspector General William Blier, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and senior Justice Department officials, the watchdog group alleged potential False Claims Act exposure and raised concerns about a revolving-door relationship between Microsoft and former federal cybersecurity and law enforcement personnel.
The organization asked the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General to review the conduct of current and former Justice Department officials who participated in investigations or oversight matters involving Microsoft before later accepting positions with the company.
Among those cited by the group were former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, former Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General John Carlin, former Cyber Safety Review Board member Bryan Vorndran, and former board member Jerry Davis.
According to the foundation, Monaco, Vorndran, and Davis later joined Microsoft after serving in government roles connected to cybersecurity oversight. The organization also suggested Carlin may have represented Microsoft at some point following his government service.
The group further urged investigators to determine whether “Microsoft’s representations to federal customers concerning the security of its products and services” could create liability under the federal False Claims Act.
AAF cited findings from the federal Cyber Safety Review Board, which previously criticized Microsoft’s security culture as “inadequate,” arguing that the company’s public assurances to government customers may conflict with those conclusions.
The watchdog organization offered to provide additional documentation and information to federal investigators and requested a formal inquiry into both the cybersecurity concerns and the relationships between Microsoft and former government personnel.
The Department of Justice has not publicly announced whether it intends to open an investigation into the allegations.
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