Justice Department investigates Corey Lewandowski over alleged contract misconduct at DHS
In short
The Justice Department is investigating Corey Lewandowski, who worked as de facto chief of staff to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, over alleged contract misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, according to people familiar with the matter. The probe follows a criminal referral from the DHS inspector general. Lewandowski's lawyer denies any wrongdoing, and President Trump said anyone dishonest should be prosecuted.
Read the full story 2 min read
The Justice Department is investigating Corey Lewandowski, who worked as de facto chief of staff to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. CNN reported that prosecutors are examining allegations of contract misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, including Lewandowski's role, according to multiple people familiar with the investigation. The Seattle Times reported that the department has opened a criminal investigation over accusations that he personally profited from his role as a top adviser to DHS, according to two officials. Both outlets said the inquiry follows a referral from the DHS inspector general's office. [ 1 , 3 ]
Details remain unclear. The Seattle Times said it was not immediately clear what actions are under investigation, and CNN said it is still not clear which US Attorney's office is leading the probe. According to a source cited by CNN, prosecutors have been awaiting the results of the inspector general's review. A second source told CNN that Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney in Washington, told officials in her office she wanted investigators to look into claims of kickbacks connected to DHS contracting. The Justice Department declined to comment, and DHS did not immediately respond to CNN. [ 1 , 3 ]
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." [ 1 , 3 ]
CNN called the referral an unusual move for the Trump administration, which it said has been hesitant to investigate its own members criminally, and noted that critics have accused the Justice Department of improperly targeting the president's political enemies. The New York Times summary and the Seattle Times described the inquiry as one of the rare instances in which a Trump ally or appointee has been investigated for potential wrongdoing during his second term. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Trump responded to the reports at the White House, according to the New York Post. He said he had heard something about it but did not know exactly what it was, and that he wants his people to be honest and, if they are not, they have to be prosecuted. He added that he would never do anything to stop a prosecution if somebody is dishonest. [ 4 ]
Lewandowski served as Trump's first campaign manager a decade ago. He joined the department early in Trump's second term as a special government employee in what was meant to be a limited, part-time role, and the Seattle Times said he built a wide portfolio covering personnel, contracts and operations. He left after Noem was forced out in March. The Seattle Times tied her removal to her answers in two congressional hearings about government ads, while the New York Post said she claimed Trump approved $220 million in ads starring her. The Post also said allegations about Lewandowski's role in DHS contracting had circulated for more than a year. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
CNN and the New York Times described the case as unusual, since a Trump ally or appointee is rarely investigated during the president's second term. What is under investigation and who is leading it remain unclear.
Key facts
- The Justice Department is investigating Corey Lewandowski over alleged contract misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, according to people familiar with the matter. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The probe follows a criminal referral from the DHS inspector general's office. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Lewandowski's lawyer, Adam Trigg, said Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department and denies any wrongdoing. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Justice Department declined to comment, according to CNN. [ 1 ]
- Trump told reporters at the White House that he wants his people to be honest and that if they are not, they have to be prosecuted. [ 4 ]
- Lewandowski worked closely with Kristi Noem, who left the department in March. [ 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Justice Department is investigating Lewandowski following a referral from the DHS inspector general. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Lewandowski's lawyer, Adam Trigg, said Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department and denies any wrongdoing. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The case is described as a rare or unusual instance of a Trump administration ally or appointee being investigated. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Which actions are under investigation. The Seattle Times said it was not immediately clear what actions are being investigated, and the New York Times summary said the details remain unclear.
- Which US Attorney's office is leading the investigation. CNN said this is still not clear.
- Whether the allegation is that Lewandowski personally profited. Only the Seattle Times report cites two officials for the accusation that he personally profited from his role; CNN refers to contract misconduct.
- Whether Washington US Attorney Jeanine Pirro asked investigators to look into kickback claims. CNN cited a single second source for this.
- The value of the government ads at issue in Noem's congressional testimony. The Seattle Times said tens of millions of dollars; the New York Post said $220 million.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CNN published its report on the Justice Department investigation. [ 1 ]
- The New York Times published its report on the inquiry. [ 2 ]
- The Seattle Times published its report that the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation. [ 3 ]
- The New York Post published Trump's comments to reporters at the White House. [ 4 ]