Some DHS contractors told White House officials they were asked to pay Corey Lewandowski
Some DHS contractors told White House officials they were asked to pay Corey Lewandowski
More than a year ago, George Zoley, founder of The GEO Group, sought a meeting with Corey Lewandowski, a key figure in President Donald Trump’s inner circle and recently appointed as a top adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. At the time, Trump had just assumed the presidency, and Lewandowski was positioned to influence significant government contracts. The GEO Group, a major player in the private prison sector, had already secured over $1 billion in annual federal contracts related to immigration detention and deportation efforts. However, Zoley and his team grew concerned that securing future deals would require navigating Lewandowski’s demands.
Zoley’s worries were rooted in a prior clash with Lewandowski during the transition from Trump’s November 2024 election victory to his January 2025 inauguration. According to two industry insiders and a senior DHS official, Lewandowski had previously challenged Zoley’s business practices. During this period, Lewandowski reportedly told Zoley he expected payment in exchange for supporting the company’s contracts with the Department of Homeland Security. A senior DHS official and three individuals familiar with the discussion confirmed this claim, describing the conversation as a pivotal moment.
After the transition, Lewandowski joined the government as an unpaid “special government employee,” where he acted as a de facto chief of staff to Noem and influenced contract decisions. Zoley, aiming to ease tensions, arranged a follow-up meeting in late February or early March 2025. In this session, he proposed a retainer agreement, offering recurring payments to Lewandowski. Yet the adviser rejected the idea, insisting he wanted compensation tied to new or renewed contracts. “He wanted payments — what some people would call a success fee,” said a person with knowledge of the meeting.
Subsequently, two of GEO Group’s federal contracts saw reduced terms, and several of its facilities remain underutilized despite increased funding for DHS’s deportation initiatives. A source close to GEO Group officials suggested this outcome may be linked to their refusal to meet Lewandowski’s demands. A senior DHS official stated that shortly after the second meeting, Lewandowski advised against awarding more contracts to the company. While Lewandowski’s spokesperson denied this account, the official’s claim adds to growing scrutiny.
Months later, in December 2025, GEO Group received a $121 million contract for services aiding immigrant location efforts. Despite this, Lewandowski’s representative insisted the arrangement had nothing to do with his interactions with the company. “This is absolutely false and did not happen — Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the GEO Group, at any time,” his spokesperson said. Earlier, during an interview with NBC News, Lewandowski claimed, “zero, not one penny” had ever been paid to him from contracts he approved.
Lawmakers have since raised questions about Lewandowski’s role. Noem testified at a congressional hearing earlier this month, where lawmakers probed her and Lewandowski’s involvement in contract decisions. Trump called both after the session, asking Lewandowski about his influence on DHS contracts, a source revealed. Noem was later dismissed, with Trump stating she would leave her post on March 31. Lewandowski, however, has not yet confirmed whether he will follow her out of the agency.
Recent Developments
On Wednesday, Trump’s nominee to replace Noem, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., faced questions during a congressional hearing. The inquiry focused on whether Noem or Lewandowski benefited financially from a $220 million advertising contract awarded to three businesses. Mullin pledged cooperation with any DHS inspector general investigation, signaling openness to scrutiny. Trump has also recently as…
“zero, not one penny” had ever been paid to him from contracts he approved.
