DHS Contractors Allegedly Instructed to Make Payments to Lewandowski
Contractors working with the Department of Homeland Security were reportedly instructed that they needed to pay Corey Lewandowski, the top aide to outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem, during the contracting process. This explosive allegation comes from a detailed NBC News investigation, which has sent shockwaves through Washington's political and security circles.
Key Allegations and Denials
According to the report, Lewandowski, who served as Noem's de facto chief of staff, actively sought payments from companies that were pursuing lucrative contracts with the Department of Homeland Security. The most prominent example involves George Zoley, the founder of the private prison corporation GEO Group. Sources indicate that Lewandowski engaged in multiple tense meetings with Zoley, during which he allegedly requested what some insiders described as a "success fee" based on the value of new or renewed DHS contracts.
GEO Group, a company that significantly benefited from the Trump administration's hardline deportation policies, already held contracts worth over one billion dollars annually with the federal government. However, the report states that Zoley rejected Lewandowski's payment demands on two separate occasions. In a swift and forceful response, a spokesperson for Lewandowski categorically denied these allegations, stating, "This is absolutely false and did not happen — Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the Geo Group, at any time."
Contractual Repercussions and Internal Pressure
The aftermath of these rejected solicitations appears to have had direct consequences for GEO Group's business with the federal government. In the months following the meetings, the length of two of GEO Group's existing federal contracts was notably reduced. Company leadership reportedly believes these diminished contracts were a direct result of their refusal to acquiesce to Lewandowski's alleged demands for payment.
Furthermore, the investigation reveals that within weeks of Lewandowski's second meeting with Zoley, Lewandowski instructed a senior DHS official to cease awarding any further contracts to GEO Group. This alleged directive underscores the significant influence Lewandowski wielded within the department, despite his official status as an unpaid special government employee. His outsized role had already attracted considerable criticism prior to these latest revelations.
Congressional Scrutiny and Personal Allegations
Secretary Noem herself faced intense questioning during a congressional hearing earlier this month, where lawmakers probed both her role and Lewandowski's involvement in government contracting processes. The hearing took a dramatic turn when Noem was asked about persistent rumours regarding a romantic relationship between herself and Lewandowski, both of whom are married to other people.
Noem vehemently dismissed these inquiries as "tabloid garbage," expressing shock that such topics were being raised in a formal committee setting. Her husband, Bryon Noem, was present in the audience during this exchange. However, contrary to her denials, reports from outlets like the Wall Street Journal suggest that department officials observed little effort by the pair to conceal their close relationship, noting their use of a luxury private jet for official travel.
Broader Context and Political Fallout
This contracting scandal unfolds against a backdrop of broader political turmoil for Noem. During her testimony, she claimed former President Donald Trump had approved a $220 million advertising campaign featuring her. Trump subsequently contradicted this, stating he had no knowledge of the campaign, and shortly thereafter dismissed Noem from her position. Lewandowski, a long-time Trump loyalist who managed the 2016 campaign, is also expected to depart the Department of Homeland Security this month following Noem's termination.
Lewandowski's controversial history includes an arrest for grabbing a reporter's arm during a 2016 press conference, though charges were later dropped. The Independent has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for an official comment on these serious allegations, but no response has been provided at this time. The report raises profound questions about ethics, influence, and the integrity of the federal contracting process at the highest levels of the US government.
