The Justice Department is investigating allegations that Corey Lewandowski, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, used his position at the Department of Homeland Security for financial gain, according to two sources familiar with the investigation who spoke to CBS News.1,4,6,3
The probe followed a referral from the DHS Office of Inspector General, according to CBS News, which said the watchdog had shared its findings in recent weeks. ABC News named the inspector general as Joseph Cuffari and reported that the investigation is in its early stages, according to sources. Reuters, citing four people, said the investigation began with a criminal referral from the internal watchdog at DHS. The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation.1,4,3,7,8
Lewandowski served as a senior adviser and de facto chief of staff to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem until both were ousted from the department in March, CBS News reported. ABC News described him as a special government employee who effectively acted as Noem's chief of staff. The allegations of personal financial profit are connected to contracts established during Noem's tenure at DHS, one source told CBS News.1,4,2,3
Reuters reported that the DHS inspector general's office has been investigating Lewandowski's involvement in the handling of certain government contracts, according to one person. That person said Lewandowski had signed some DHS contracts despite having questionable legal authority as a special government employee. Two DHS officials told Reuters that certain grants and contracts, including those involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were put on hold at Lewandowski's direction.3,2
NBC News reported that the inspector general had referred its investigation to the Justice Department, according to a person familiar with the investigation. NBC said the probe initially stemmed from questions about how a $220 million advertising contract featuring Noem was awarded, and that it expanded after NBC reported that Lewandowski was alleged to have sought payment in exchange for protecting and growing the interests of a company, the GEO Group, that was seeking government contracts unrelated to the ad campaign. The GEO Group declined his requests, according to NBC, which said sources had described two meetings at which one source said he wanted a "success fee."6
Lewandowski's attorney, Adam Trigg, said in a statement that his client had not been contacted by the Justice Department. "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," Trigg said. Lewandowski has not been charged with a crime. The Justice Department declined to comment, and the Department of Homeland Security had not responded to requests for comment at the time of the reports.1,4,6,5,8,3
Reuters reported that the Justice Department had not yet issued subpoenas or other legal demands in the criminal investigation, according to one person who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Washington Examiner said the reports did not include specific details about the alleged profiteering. The Daily Caller, citing a July Wall Street Journal report, said the DHS inspector general had uncovered evidence suggesting Lewandowski may have been involved in improperly awarding government contracts, and that the watchdog had spent months considering a referral for possible prosecution.3,2,8
Asked about the investigation on Thursday, Trump told reporters he had not been briefed by Attorney General Todd Blanche and said he did not know the specifics. "I want my people to be honest, and if they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted," Trump said, according to CBS News. ABC News quoted him as saying, "All I know is I want my people to be honest," and adding, "I don't know about specifically, but -- because I view if people are not honest they're stealing from me."1,4,7,8
The reports noted that the probe is rare for the Justice Department under Trump. ABC News said it marked a rare instance of the department examining conduct of an ally of the president. Reuters said investigations of people close to Trump have been rare, while the department has investigated prominent critics of the president, including former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.4,3
Before Noem and Lewandowski left the department, some senior officials privately complained about what they viewed as micromanagement of contracts and operational decisions by the former secretary and her adviser, CBS News reported. Noem had required her personal written approval for contracts, grants and funding obligations above $100,000, a policy that some officials said created significant backlogs for essential funding, including for disaster relief, though she had intended to tighten oversight.1
The Justice Department has not publicly said whether the probe will lead to charges, and the reports do not establish that any wrongdoing occurred. Whether Lewandowski will be contacted by investigators, and how the department will proceed, was not described in the reports.1,3,4,6
