The Department of Justice is investigating former Trump aide Corey Lewandowski over allegations of improperly awarding contracts while serving at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The probe stems from a referral by the DHS Office of Inspector General, which began examining claims that Lewandowski profited from federal contract awards made during his time as a top adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The inspector general's office initiated a review earlier this year, requesting that DHS employees preserve records related to hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts. This included no-bid agreements associated with a $220 million advertising campaign that featured Noem. The investigation also reportedly encompasses instances of alleged solicitations involving foreign officials and contracts with the Geo Group, a private prison operator. Concerns raised internally by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding "pay to play visa schemes" are also under scrutiny.
A representative for Lewandowski denied any wrongdoing, stating that his client has not been contacted by the Justice Department and asserting that Lewandowski served his country in a voluntary capacity. Lewandowski had described himself as an "unpaid volunteer" during his time advising the Trump White House. He and Noem departed their DHS roles in March.
Reports suggest that Lewandowski and Noem directed subordinates to ensure that contracts, grants, and other funding decisions exceeding $100,000 required their final approval. This directive is said to have caused delays in the disbursement of federal disaster relief funds and funding for border wall projects.
Former President Donald Trump, when asked about the probe, stated, "All I know is I want my people to be honest, and if they’re not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted." He added that dishonesty by his appointees felt like a personal theft and that his Justice Department would act accordingly.