The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating allegations that Corey Lewandowski, a former senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), used his government position for personal financial gain. The probe was initiated following a criminal referral from the DHS Office of Inspector General. The investigation focuses on contracts established during the tenure of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, to whom Lewandowski served as a de facto chief of staff until both departed the agency in March 2026.
Lewandowski has not been charged with any crime and denies the allegations. His attorney, Adam Trigg, stated that Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department and described his service at DHS as a voluntary role. The investigation follows previous internal complaints regarding the management of contracts under Noem. During her tenure, Noem instituted a policy requiring her personal written approval for all contracts and grants exceeding $100,000, a move she defended as oversight but which other officials said caused funding backlogs.
Specific details of the probe include allegations of kickbacks tied to DHS contracts, according to sources cited by CNN. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro reportedly informed officials in her Washington, D.C., office that she wanted investigators to examine these claims. The investigation also encompasses a $220 million advertising campaign that featured Noem, which had become a point of internal dispute before her removal. President Donald Trump, when asked about the matter on October 22, 2026, stated he had not been briefed by Attorney General Todd Blanche but remarked that anyone found to be dishonest "must pay a price."
House Democrats opened their own investigation into Lewandowski's role at the department in March 2026. The Justice Department has declined to comment on the ongoing matter. While the specific U.S. attorney's office leading the probe has not been identified, prosecutors have reportedly been awaiting findings from the inspector general's inquiry. There are currently no public court dates or deadlines for the completion of the investigation.