DHS watchdog refers its Corey Lewandowski investigation to Justice Department for review
The Department of Homeland Security inspector general has referred to the Justice Department its investigation into former “special government employee” Corey Lewandowski, according to a person familiar with the investigation.The DHS investigation stems from questions about how a $220 million contract for an advertising campaign featuring then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was awarded.At his Senate confirmation hearing, now-Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin testified in March that the department’s inspector general was looking into the contract.That investigation then expanded, according to a source familiar with the matter, after NBC News reported that Lewandowski had allegedly sought payment in exchange for protecting and growing the interests of a company, GEO Group, which was seeking government contracts unrelated to the ad campaign.Then-special government employee and adviser Corey Lewandowski in the courtyard of the Pentagon on Sept.
11, 2025, in Arlington, Va.Andrew Harnik / GettyIn response to an inquiry from NBC News, Adam Trigg, an attorney for Lewandowski, said Thursday, “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.”The Wall Street Journal was first to report the allegations being under review by the Justice Department.Sources previously described to NBC News two meetings between GEO Group and Lewandowski in which he asked for the company to pay him, with one source saying he wanted a “success fee.” GEO Group declined his requests.For SubscribersFOR SUBSCRIBERSRepublicans retreat from North Carolina as Trump admits Democrats are likely to win the Senate seatFOR SUBSCRIBERSNetflix’s latest cliff-hanger? Where it’s headed as a business.FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI agents are shutting off ways to monitor misbehaviorFOR SUBSCRIBERSWhy John Turturro is having the best year of any New Yor...