DHS Contractors Told White House Corey Lewandowski Sought Payments Tied to Contracts: 'Blazing Red Flag'

DHS contractors told White House officials that Corey Lewandowski sought payments tied to federal contracts, according to a new report highlighting concerns among Trump administration aides and industry participants about potential conflicts of interest in the awarding of Homeland Security agreements.

The complaints stem from multiple accounts by contractors and officials who said Lewandowski, a senior adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem serving as a "special government employee," was positioned to influence contract decisions while allegedly seeking compensation linked to those same deals.

A government contracting expert told NBC News such requests would raise "red flags," while procurement law expert Jessica Tillipman said the scenario described would be a "blazing red flag of procurement integrity concern."

According to people familiar with the matter, GEO Group founder George Zoley was approached during the presidential transition and told Lewandowski wanted to be paid in exchange for protecting and expanding the company's DHS contracts. Zoley declined.

In a subsequent meeting, Lewandowski allegedly sought compensation tied to future contracts — described by one source as a "success fee." Lewandowski, through a spokesperson, denied ever requesting payment, saying the claims are "absolutely false."

Additional concerns emerged from a separate account involving a marketing firm that said it was told it would need to hire a consultant linked to Lewandowski to secure DHS-related work. The firm declined the arrangement after consulting industry contacts who warned it posed legal risks. A representative for Lewandowski denied any involvement, and a lawyer for the contracting firm mentioned in the discussions also rejected the allegations.

One senior White House official said aides were "aware of the allegations of pay to play," and another said at least four companies had raised concerns. No action has been taken against Lewandowski, in part due to his relationship with the president, according to people familiar with internal discussions.

The allegations come as Lewandowski's role inside DHS has drawn scrutiny. Although the department has said he does not approve contracts, internal records recently reviewed by ProPublica show his signature appearing on major spending decisions, and officials have said he often reviewed agreements above $100,000 before they reached Noem.

Lawmakers have also begun raising questions about contracting practices at DHS, including a $220 million advertising deal tied to Noem. The president has privately asked aides whether Lewandowski benefited financially from such agreements. Lewandowski has denied receiving any money, stating previously he has made "zero, not one penny."

Federal law prohibits public officials from seeking anything of value in exchange for influencing official acts. It remains unclear whether Lewandowski received any payments.