The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski over allegations that he used his senior position at the Department of Homeland Security for personal gain in an alleged “pay-to-play” arrangement, the Daily Mail has learned.
The inquiry follows a criminal referral recently sent to the Justice Department by the Homeland Security Department’s inspector general.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that federal investigators are reviewing claims that Lewandowski profited from his role as a senior adviser to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
President Donald Trump was asked about the matter by reporters on the White House lawn Thursday. “I view it as if people aren’t honest, they’re stealing from me,” Trump said. “I guess I could stop anything. I have no idea what he did.”
The Daily Mail reported in March that the inspector general had begun a “wide-ranging” criminal investigation involving Noem, Lewandowski—who has been rumored to have had a romantic relationship with her—and others over alleged no-bid contracts worth billions of dollars.
Sources said investigators issued preservation notices to dozens of people involved in approving the agreements, including several members of Noem’s inner circle.
Those officials were instructed to retain all relevant communications, including emails, text messages, documents and phone records, according to the Daily Mail.
“It’s long overdue and much needed,” a senior DHS official familiar with the investigation said at the time. “There has been too much shady stuff done under their watch.”
Noem was later abruptly removed from her post at DHS, amid several controversies, including intense scrutiny of a $220 million advertising campaign featuring her on horseback.
The Justice Department is investigating allegations that Corey Lewandowski profited from his senior position at the Department of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem, her rumored partner Corey Lewandowski and other Homeland Security associates are the focus of a broad criminal investigation
The inspector general’s investigation, however, extended beyond the advertising campaign. Senior DHS officials told the Daily Mail in March that investigators were examining a “wide range” of contracts personally approved by Noem’s office.
No criminal charges have been filed, and no specific crime has been publicly alleged. The referral indicates that the inspector general believed the information warranted a criminal review by the Justice Department, which could ultimately determine whether to prosecute the longtime Trump ally who effectively served as Noem’s chief of staff.
The DHS contracting system came under examination amid concerns over possible conflicts of interest and efforts to exert improper influence.
Several DHS contractors told White House officials that Lewandowski allegedly sought “pay-to-play” payments in return for helping companies win or expand government contracts. Sources told the Daily Mail that the alleged practice became known as “the Lewandowski tax.”
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Lewandowski, who previously worked as a special government employee, has denied wrongdoing.
People close to him have said he believes Trump would pardon him if charges were brought, although Lewandowski’s attorney has rejected that claim.
“The White House isn’t going to stand in the way,” an official previously told the Daily Mail. “Corey’s fate will be decided by Corey’s actions.”
“Corey has made his bed, and now he has to lie in it,” another source close to the White House said.
Noem and Lewandowski kept tight control over the approval of contracts worth six figures. Their requirement that such agreements receive sole authorization contributed to backlogs lasting months, delaying deals connected to FEMA disaster aid and construction of Trump’s border wall.
But DHS sources told the Daily Mail this also allowed the pair to circumvent standard oversight.
When contacted for a response on the investigation at the time, Lewandowski replied, ‘Fake news.’
Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem pictured with then-2016 Trump Campaign manager Corey Lewandowski (Facebook)
The DHS Office of Inspector General is an independent federal watchdog tasked with investigating fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct. The office is led by Joseph Cuffari, one of a small group of inspectors general to keep their posts after Trump fired 17 at the start of his second term.
Cuffari has told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that Noem ‘systematically obstructed’ eleven of his prior investigations.
A senior administration official told the Daily Mail that Lewandowski also unsuccessfully tried to get Cuffari fired on multiple occasions before leaving DHS.
Last spring, ten of Noem’s closest advisers and staffers, including her three deputy chiefs of staff, left Homeland to join the State Department, where they were to assist her in her new role as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Noem recently left the position but remains in an advisory role at the State Department.
The Daily Mail reached out to Lewandowski, Noem, the DOJ, and the White House for comment.
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