Washington, D.C. — A top technology advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice has been linked to a controversial online past involving hacking, pirated software, and video game cheating forums, according to a Reuters investigation.
Christopher Stanley, 33, currently serves as a senior advisor in the Deputy Attorney General’s Office, working under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a division spearheaded by Elon Musk under a Trump-era initiative to reform the federal bureaucracy. Before his DOJ role, Stanley worked at X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX, two companies owned by Musk.
Reuters reviewed archived copies of Stanley’s old websites and posts, which show he bragged about hacking into competitor websites, distributing pirated ebooks and software, and creating and promoting video game cheats. One archived website from 2006 featured bold declarations like “F***ing Up Servers!” alongside crude graphics, while another post from 2008 described how he hijacked a competing forum and called its users “stupid noobs.”
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While Stanley later claimed he left hacking behind at age 19, a 2014 video showed him describing involvement in a breach of customer data from a rival hacking group when he was 23.
Despite these revelations, Stanley holds a valid federal security clearance. The DOJ, SpaceX, and X did not respond to requests for comment. However, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that she had “full trust and confidence” in Stanley’s abilities.
Several Justice Department veterans expressed concern, stating that someone with a background involving illegal access to data should not be involved in federal operations. “I would have very serious concerns about giving him access to these kinds of records,” said Jonathan Rusch, a former DOJ prosecutor.
After Reuters contacted Stanley for comment, several of his old websites disappeared from the Internet Archive. Mark Graham, who oversees the Wayback Machine, confirmed that owners can request removal of archived content but declined to specify who requested the takedowns.
Still, not everyone agrees that Stanley’s past disqualifies him. Dan Guido, a cybersecurity expert, noted that many young hackers turn into productive professionals. “That is a way I’ve seen a lot of people learn,” he said.
Stanley’s current responsibilities remain unclear. He is classified as a “special government employee” and does not draw a government salary, according to the DOJ. On LinkedIn, he still identifies with X and SpaceX and does not mention his government work.
Stanley’s case adds to a growing list of DOGE staff under scrutiny. Another DOGE member, Edward Coristine, reportedly provided cyber infrastructure to a hacking group, prompting lawmakers to demand a full investigation into who is working for the Musk-led agency.