In a continuation of the shake-up of financial leadership amid federal investigations, government efficiency audits, and adherence to accountability standards by the Department of Government Efficiency, FEMA CFO Mary Comans has been fired by the Department of Homeland Security for authorizing $59 million in payments to New York City that were used to house illegal migrants.
Three other FEMA employees were also fired, including two program analysts and a grant specialist. The DHS hasn’t made clear exactly what violations were committed by Comans and the other employees who were let go.
Spokespeople for New York City Mayor Eric Adams told the AP the money indeed came from FEMA and was spent at hotels for migrants but said the city didn’t pay luxury rates for rooms. Elon Musk called the payments a “gross insubordination to the president’s executive order” and said the DOGE will demand a clawback of the funds sent to New York City.
FEMA was criticized by conservatives for its claims of lack of funding to properly respond to disasters in East Palestine, Ohio, Maui, Hawaii and Asheville, North Carolina in recent months. In Asheville specifically, FEMA leaders were told to prioritize services based on political affiliations, according to whistleblowers within the organization.
Comans started at FEMA in 2017. She previously served as acting COO as well as CFO. Her replacement has not been named.
