DOJ Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Corey Lewandowski Over Alleged Profiting From DHS Role
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski, President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, over accusations he profited from his role as a top Homeland Security adviser.
The New York Times reported the inquiry Thursday, citing two officials with knowledge of the situation. The probe stems from a referral by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, those officials said.
It was not immediately clear what actions are under investigation, according to the Times, which called it one of the rare instances of a Trump ally or appointee being investigated during the president’s second term.
The Washington Times also reported that the department is examining whether Lewandowski profited from his DHS post. No charges have been filed.
A lawyer for Lewandowski, Adam Trigg, rejected any suggestion of criminal conduct.
“Mr. Lewandowski 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,” Trigg said in a statement.
Earlier Contracting Questions
The case follows a Wall Street Journal report in July that DHS investigators had found evidence Lewandowski may have been involved in improperly awarding government contracts during his time at the department.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and White House officials had been briefed on that inquiry, the Journal reported, as investigators weighed a possible criminal referral to the Justice Department.
Some officials were surprised by how directly involved Lewandowski appeared to be, and people familiar with the approvals said he personally signed certain contracts, Mediaite reported, summarizing the Journal.
A representative for Lewandowski told the Journal at the time that he denied issuing contracts while at DHS. Inspector General Joseph Cuffari’s office cited “a longstanding policy of neither confirming or denying specific investigations.”
Lewandowski joined DHS early last year as an unpaid special government employee in what was meant to be a limited, part-time role. He worked as the top aide to then-Secretary Kristi Noem.
According to the Times, he “wielded power far beyond the scope of his role as an unpaid adviser,” often hosting meetings in Noem’s office without her present and issuing orders to agency officials.
He left the department after Noem was forced out in March. The Times reported the catalyst for her firing appeared to be her sworn testimony that Trump had approved tens of millions of dollars in ads featuring her.
The Times reported that he built wide influence over personnel, contracts and department operations, and helped elevate Gregory Bovino, a midlevel Border Patrol leader, to command large-scale deportation operations nationwide.
A White House spokeswoman referred the Journal’s questions to DHS, which declined to comment.
Bovino was forced out earlier this year after agents under his supervision killed two protesters during a Minneapolis immigration sweep, the Times reported. Lewandowski has not been charged with any crime.
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