Overview
- The Justice Department has opened an early-stage criminal inquiry after Thursday’s referral from the DHS Office of Inspector General that flagged possible misconduct tied to contracts during Kristi Noem’s tenure.
- Investigators are examining allegations that Lewandowski sought personal payments or foreign work while serving as an unpaid special government employee and that he played a role in improperly awarding or approving DHS contracts.
- The probe remains nascent: prosecutors have not publicly issued subpoenas or filed charges, the DOJ declined to comment, and Lewandowski’s attorney says he has not been contacted and denies wrongdoing.
- Lewandowski held a special government employee designation meant to limit outside advisers’ authority but reportedly exercised broad control over decisions requiring secretary-level sign-off, including approvals for contracts and grants over $100,000.
- The referral and DOJ review create political and institutional stakes because Lewandowski is a longtime Trump ally, and the case could prompt further grand-jury steps, subpoenas, congressional oversight, or changes in how the department handles public-corruption work.