The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump and former top aide at the Department of Homeland Security, over allegations that he profited from his government position, Reuters reported.
The investigation followed a criminal referral from the DHS inspector general, according to three U.S. officials and another person familiar with the matter. Investigators have been examining Lewandowski's involvement in federal contracts during his tenure as an unpaid special government employee.
The inquiry remains in its early stages, with prosecutors yet to issue subpoenas or other legal demands, Reuters reported. Lewandowski has not been charged with a crime.
The investigation follows allegations that Lewandowski sought compensation from GEO Group, a private prison operator seeking DHS contracts. NBC News reported on Thursday that sources described two meetings during which he allegedly requested payment, including a proposed "success fee," in exchange for helping the company's business interests.
GEO Group reportedly declined the requests. Lewandowski's representatives have denied that he sought any compensation from the company. The allegations have renewed scrutiny of the authority Lewandowski exercised while serving as a senior adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
In March, ProPublica reported that internal DHS records showed Lewandowski personally approved a multimillion-dollar equipment contract and regularly signed off on other spending decisions. Those findings contradicted Noem's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she denied that Lewandowski had any role in approving contracts.
The department had introduced a policy requiring Noem to personally approve contracts exceeding $100,000, with Lewandowski frequently appearing as the final official reviewing spending requests before they reached her.
The contracting scrutiny also involves a $220 million DHS advertising campaign featuring Noem, awarded without a standard competitive bidding process. Trump dismissed Noem in March following controversies over departmental spending and immigration enforcement.
Asked about the investigation Thursday, Trump said he did not know its details but added: "I want my people to be honest." Lewandowski managed Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and advised his 2024 campaign before joining DHS.
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