Overview
- The Justice Department has opened an investigation into Corey Lewandowski after the DHS Office of Inspector General sent a criminal referral, multiple outlets reported on Thursday.
- Reports say investigators are examining whether Lewandowski used his de facto role as top adviser to then-Secretary Kristi Noem to seek personal payments, solicit work from foreign officials and influence DHS contracting decisions.
- Lewandowski served as a special government employee rather than a full-time official but reportedly signed off on or reviewed many contracts and worked under a Noem policy requiring her approval for deals over $100,000.
- The Justice Department declined to comment publicly, Lewandowski’s lawyer says he has not been contacted and he denies wrongdoing, and no charges have been filed as prosecutors continue reviewing the inspector general’s findings.
- The probe could shape oversight of DHS contracting and test DOJ independence, with Congress watching for briefings and the next steps to include whether prosecutors formally contact Lewandowski or bring charges.