Overview
- The Justice Department opened the investigation on Thursday after the DHS Office of Inspector General sent a criminal referral based on its review of contracting during Kristi Noem’s tenure.
- Prosecutors are reviewing allegations that Lewandowski sought payments or other financial arrangements from contractors and foreign governments and that he influenced the awarding of government contracts.
- Although designated a special government employee, Lewandowski acted as Kristi Noem’s de facto gatekeeper who signed or reviewed six-figure contracts and worked under a policy that routed contracts over $100,000 to Noem for approval.
- The inquiry is in its early stages with no subpoenas or charges reported, Lewandowski’s lawyer says he has not been contacted and denies wrongdoing, and senior DHS and White House officials have been briefed.
- The probe is notable both for investigating an ally of President Trump and for spotlighting questions about DHS contracting practices, oversight by the IG and the capacity of DOJ’s public integrity resources to pursue such cases.