Justice Department Opens Criminal Investigation Into Corey Lewandowski Over Alleged DHS Contract Misconduct

Federal prosecutors are investigating Corey Lewandowski, the longtime Trump ally who served as a de facto chief of staff to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, over allegations of contract misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

The probe began with a criminal referral to the Justice Department from the DHS inspector general’s office, which has been examining the handling of government contracts during Noem’s and Lewandowski’s tenure at the agency. The investigation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, and was confirmed to Reuters by three U.S. officials and a fourth person familiar with the matter.

According to CNN, which also reported the investigation, Lewandowski worked as Noem’s chief adviser and gatekeeper while formally serving as a special government employee, a temporary federal role meant to span a limited number of days. Homeland Security officials ultimately viewed Lewandowski, rather than any confirmed deputy, as Noem’s de facto chief of staff. He left the department when President Trump fired Noem earlier this year.

Investigators are examining whether Lewandowski used his position for personal financial gain, including how certain DHS contracts were handled. One DHS official told Reuters that Lewandowski had signed some contracts despite having questionable legal authority as a special government employee, and two officials said certain grants and contracts, including some involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were put on hold at his direction. According to CNN, Washington D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told officials in her office in recent months that she wanted investigators to look into claims of kickbacks connected to contracting at DHS.

Lewandowski denies wrongdoing

Lewandowski’s attorney, Adam Trigg, said his client denies all wrongdoing. “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 told CNN. The Justice Department declined to comment on the matter, and DHS did not immediately return a request for comment.

No subpoenas or other legal demands have been issued in the criminal investigation so far, according to one person familiar with the matter. It is not yet clear which U.S. attorney’s office is leading the probe, and prosecutors have been awaiting further materials from the inspector general’s review.

Unusual move for the Trump Justice Department

According to CNN, the referral is an unusual step for the Trump administration, which has been hesitant to criminally investigate its own members, and critics have accused the Justice Department of improperly targeting the president’s political enemies.

Trump was asked about the investigation by reporters on Thursday. He said he did not know the specifics and had only just learned of it. “I want my people to be honest,” he said. “And if they’re not honest, I’ll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do.”

Noem’s handling of contracts at DHS was one of the main factors in her ouster by Trump earlier this year, according to CNN. Trump fired Noem in March after months of controversy, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis and lawmakers’ questions over a $220 million advertising contract promoting Noem that was awarded without a standard bidding process, Reuters reported. Noem had also ordered that every contract and grant over $100,000 cross her desk for approval, a move multiple Homeland Security officials found unusual. DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari complained to Congress in early March that department leadership had been obstructing some of his office’s work.

Reporting based on coverage by Reuters and CNN.