DOJ Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Lewandowski Conduct at DHS

A referral from the DHS inspector general has triggered a formal criminal investigation into whether a senior informal adviser used a federal role for personal financial gain, a pattern that, if...

The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski, a longtime political ally of President Donald Trump who served as an informal adviser to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to reporting by the Washington Examiner. The inquiry centers on allegations that Lewandowski used his position at the Department of Homeland Security to generate personal financial benefit.

The investigation was initiated after a formal referral from the DHS Office of Inspector General, according to the Washington Examiner, which cited multiple reports. Inspector general referrals to the DOJ are a standard mechanism under the Inspector General Act of 1978 when an OIG inquiry uncovers potential criminal conduct that exceeds its own civil or administrative jurisdiction.

Lewandowski's role at DHS was informal, meaning he was not a Senate-confirmed official and did not carry a formal title that would appear in standard federal personnel records. The nature of informal advisory roles at executive agencies has drawn congressional scrutiny in prior administrations from both parties, because such positions can create ambiguity about which ethics disclosure requirements apply.

Noem was fired from her position as DHS Secretary earlier in 2026. Lewandowski departed the department following her removal, according to the Washington Examiner. The precise timing of his departure relative to Noem's firing is not specified in available public records reviewed for this report.

Lewandowski has a lengthy history with Trump political operations. He served as Trump's campaign manager during the 2016 presidential campaign and remained a visible surrogate and adviser through subsequent election cycles. His political activity and any associated financial arrangements would be reflected in Federal Election Commission filings, though any compensation tied to his DHS advisory work would not necessarily appear in FEC records.

If the investigation proceeds to charges, prosecutors would likely look to 18 U.S.C. Section 208, which prohibits federal employees, including those serving in advisory capacities, from participating in matters in which they have a personal financial interest, and 18 U.S.C. Section 201, which governs bribery and gratuities involving public officials. Conviction under Section 208 carries a penalty of up to one year in prison for non-willful violations and up to five years for willful violations.

The DHS Office of Inspector General has not publicly released the referral document, which would normally detail the factual basis for requesting a DOJ review. That document, if made public or obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, would be the primary record specifying what conduct the OIG concluded warranted criminal referral.

Investigations arising from IG referrals do not always result in charges. The DOJ retains full prosecutorial discretion to decline a referral. No indictment or charges against Lewandowski have been reported as of October 22, 2026.

Congress has oversight authority over both the DHS OIG and the DOJ. Senate or House judiciary and homeland security committees could request briefings or documents related to the referral under their investigative powers, though no committee has publicly announced such a request as of this report's publication date.

Several material facts remain unknown from available public records. It is not known what specific contracts, payments, or financial arrangements the OIG examined. It is not known whether Lewandowski has retained legal counsel or made any public statement through counsel. The DHS OIG referral letter and any accompanying investigative report would be the documents most likely to answer both questions, and either could become available through congressional oversight, court proceedings, or a FOIA request.