Corey Lewandowski Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Demands for Payments Linked to GEO Group DHS Contracts Amid Congressional Investigation

Corey Lewandowski, a close adviser to former President Donald Trump and former top aide to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, has been reported to have sought financial compensation tied to government contracts awarded to the private prison company GEO Group. According to an NBC News investigation, Lewandowski allegedly requested a “success fee” from GEO Group founder George Zoley during the transition period following Trump’s November 2024 election. The company, which held over $1 billion in federal contracts related to immigration detention and deportation, was positioned to benefit from Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

The reports indicate that during the transition, Lewandowski told Zoley he wanted to be paid in exchange for protecting and expanding GEO Group’s DHS contracts. Zoley declined the request, concerned about the ethical implications. The two met again in early 2025, when Zoley offered Lewandowski a retainer fee, but Lewandowski reportedly insisted on compensation tied to new or renewed contracts, which Zoley also refused. Following these interactions, the duration of two GEO Group contracts was reduced, and several of its migrant detention facilities remained unused despite increased DHS funding for deportation efforts. GEO Group officials reportedly believe this was a consequence of their refusal to meet Lewandowski’s demands.

A senior DHS official told NBC News that Lewandowski instructed the department not to award further contracts to GEO Group shortly after the second meeting, a claim Lewandowski’s spokesperson has denied, stating, “This is absolutely false and did not happen — Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the Geo Group, at any time.” Lewandowski also previously told NBC News that he had not received any money from contracts he approved. Despite the controversy, GEO Group did secure a $121 million contract in December 2025 for services related to locating immigrants.

The revelations have prompted congressional scrutiny. Noem testified before Congress earlier in the month, facing questions about her and Lewandowski’s roles in DHS contracting decisions. Following the hearings, Trump dismissed Noem as DHS secretary, effective March 31, while Lewandowski has not yet decided whether to leave the department. Trump’s nominee to replace Noem, Senator Markwayne Mullin, stated during a congressional hearing that he would cooperate with any DHS inspector general investigation into contracts awarded to businesses linked to Noem. The probe is examining whether Noem or Lewandowski financially benefited from contracts, including a $220 million advertising campaign featuring Noem. Trump has reportedly questioned aides about whether Lewandowski personally profited from the campaign.

The controversy surrounding Lewandowski’s involvement in DHS contracting has also drawn attention from within the Trump administration. Multiple companies have lodged complaints alleging that Lewandowski, serving as a special government employee, stood to personally benefit from the contracting process. These complaints, considered unusual in the defense contracting industry, were reportedly brought to Trump’s attention during a meeting in October 2025. The ongoing investigations and congressional inquiries continue to shed light on the complex dynamics of government contracting under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.