DOJ Investigates Whether Corey Lewandowski Cashed In On Homeland Security Role
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into former Homeland Security adviser Corey Lewandowski over allegations that he improperly profited from his influential position at the department.
The inquiry follows a criminal referral from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, who investigated Lewandowski’s conduct during the tenure of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The inspector general’s investigation initially focused on the awarding of a roughly $220 million advertising contract featuring Noem, according to NBC News. The inquiry subsequently expanded after reporting that Lewandowski allegedly sought compensation from a company seeking government business.
Sources previously told NBC that Lewandowski met with representatives of GEO Group, a private prison and detention company, and asked to be paid in exchange for protecting and expanding its interests. One source characterized the requested payment as a “success fee.” The company declined the requests, according to the reporting.
A Lewandowski representative denied that account in March, saying he had never demanded payment or compensation from GEO Group.
Lewandowski served as an unpaid special government employee but allegedly wielded substantial authority over departmental spending. People familiar with the reviews told the Journal that he or close associates signed off on nearly all departmental spending decisions above $100,000. Investigators also found that Lewandowski personally signed certain contract documents.
Lewandowski, who managed Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, served as Noem’s top adviser before both left the department in March.
Trump said Thursday that he would not interfere with prosecutions of dishonest officials.
“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,” Trump told reporters.
“I will never do anything to stop the prosecution of someone who’s dishonest,” Trump said.
Lewandowski’s attorney, Adam Trigg, said: “Mr. Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department regarding any investigation, and he denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity.”
