DoJ opens criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski over alleged profiting
The inquiry follows a criminal referral from the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog over claims he profited from his government role.
At a glance
- Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump adviser and DHS aide, is under criminal investigation over allegations he profited from his government role.
- The inquiry began with a criminal referral from the DHS inspector general, which examined his handling of certain government contracts.
- No subpoenas have been issued, and Lewandowski's lawyer says he denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
Corey Lewandowski, a former political adviser to Donald Trump and a senior aide at the Department of Homeland Security, is under criminal investigation over allegations that he profited from his role in the US government, according to three US officials and a fourth person familiar with the matter.
The investigation began with a criminal referral to the Department of Justice from the DHS internal watchdog, the four people told Reuters on Thursday. The DHS inspector general's office has been examining Lewandowski's involvement in the handling of certain government contracts, according to one of the people, a DHS official. No subpoenas or other legal demands have been issued yet, one person said. All four spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Lawyer says allegations denied
Adam Trigg, a lawyer for Lewandowski, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation and quoted Lewandowski's lawyer as saying his client denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
Trump, asked about media reports of the investigation, told reporters he did not know the specifics but said: "I want my people to be honest." He added: "And if they're not honest, I'll have my DoJ go and do whatever they have to do."
The Justice Department under Trump has investigated several prominent critics of the president, including former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James, but investigations of people close to Trump have been rare. The department has also moved to dismiss several existing cases involving Trump allies, including supporters charged in connection with the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Role at Homeland Security
Lewandowski served as a top aide to former homeland security secretary Kristi Noem during her tenure leading DHS. Trump fired Noem in March after months of controversy, including the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis and lawmakers' questions over a $220m advertising contract promoting Noem that was awarded without a standard bidding process.
According to the DHS official, Lewandowski signed some DHS contracts despite having questionable legal authority as a special government employee. Certain grants and contracts, including some involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were put on hold at his direction, according to two of the people, both DHS officials.
Lewandowski previously served as campaign manager during Trump's first presidential run in 2016 and advised his 2024 campaign.
Source: The Guardian World.
Questions and answers
- Why is Corey Lewandowski under criminal investigation?
- The Justice Department opened the investigation after a criminal referral from the DHS inspector general, which has been examining his involvement in the handling of certain government contracts and allegations he profited from his government role.
- Has Corey Lewandowski been charged?
- No. No subpoenas or other legal demands have been issued in the investigation, and his lawyer says he denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
- What did Trump say about the investigation?
- Trump said he did not know the specifics of the investigation, but that "I want my people to be honest," adding that if they are not, he will have his DoJ "do whatever they have to do."
