DOJ Investigating Corey Lewandowski Over Alleged DHS Contract Misconduct

Federal prosecutors are investigating Corey Lewandowski, the former de facto chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, over allegations of contract misconduct. The probe follows a criminal referral from the DHS inspector general’s office, which examined contracting practices during his tenure.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation Thursday afternoon. CNN independently confirmed it, citing multiple people familiar with the matter. The people said the inspector general shared its findings about Lewandowski’s time at the department with prosecutors in recent days. The Justice Department declined to comment.

Lewandowski served as the top adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem until both were ousted in March. He joined DHS as a special government employee but took on responsibilities resembling a chief of staff. The Journal reported that he or close associates signed off on nearly all department spending decisions above $100,000, giving him visibility into the contractors DHS worked with and the ability to hold contracts up. The inquiry is focused at least in part on contracting fraud.

It is the first publicly known instance of President Donald Trump’s second-term Justice Department scrutinizing someone close to him. The administration has faced accusations of using the department to target its political enemies. In recent months, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told officials in her Washington, D.C., office to look into claims of kickbacks tied to DHS contracts, a person familiar told CNN.

Lewandowski denies the allegations

Lewandowski’s lawyer, Adam Trigg, said his client “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.” Lewandowski has previously denied seeking foreign contracts while in government or playing a role in approving DHS deals.

Asked about the investigation at the White House on Thursday, Trump said he had heard something about it but did not know the details. “All I know is I want my people to be honest, and if they’re not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted,” he told reporters. The Journal reported that Lewandowski expects a pardon from Trump if he is charged. Trump appeared to pour cold water on that idea. “I will never do anything to stop a prosecution if somebody is dishonest,” he said.