Corey Lewandowski, the top aide of outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, allegedly sought payments from companies seeking contracts with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a report by NBC News.
Sources told NBC that Lewandowski had multiple tense meetings with George Zoley, founder of the private prison company GEO Group, which held over $1 billion in annual government contracts. Zoley twice rejected Lewandowski's bid to receive payments based on new or renewed contracts, described by a source as a 'success fee'.
Following the rejections, the length of two GEO Group federal contracts shrank. Company leaders believe this was retaliation for not agreeing to Lewandowski's solicitations. Within weeks of a second meeting, Lewandowski told a senior DHS official not to award any more contracts to GEO Group, the official said.
Lewandowski has denied the allegations. A spokesperson stated: 'This is absolutely false and did not happen — Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the Geo Group, at any time.'
Lewandowski, a special government employee at DHS, has faced criticism over his role. Noem was questioned about contracts during a congressional hearing, where she claimed Trump approved a $220 million ad campaign featuring her on horseback. Trump later denied knowledge and fired Noem.
Lewandowski, an unpaid Trump aide for over a decade, has also faced allegations of a romantic relationship with Noem, which she dismissed as 'tabloid garbage'. The Wall Street Journal reported that officials say the pair do little to hide their relationship inside the department.
