WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Allegations of “pay-to-play” practices inside the Department of Homeland Security have raised fresh questions about ethics and contracting decisions tied to Corey Lewandowski, a close ally of Donald Trump. Lawmakers and White House officials are now reviewing claims that contractors were asked to make payments linked to government business.
The controversy centers on interactions between Lewandowski and executives from The GEO Group, one of the largest private prison operators in the United States. The company holds federal contracts worth more than $1 billion annually and stands to benefit from expanded immigration enforcement policies.
According to multiple sources, GEO Group founder George Zoley met with Lewandowski during the transition period following the 2024 election. During that meeting, Lewandowski allegedly suggested he should be paid in exchange for helping protect and grow the company’s DHS contracts.
Zoley rejected the proposal, citing concerns about ethics and legality. A follow-up meeting in early 2025 also ended without agreement. Sources said Lewandowski sought compensation tied to future contract success, often referred to as a “success fee.” Lewandowski has denied all allegations. His spokesperson said he never requested or received payments from GEO Group or any contractor.
After the meetings, some GEO Group contracts reportedly shrank, and several facilities remained unused despite increased federal spending on immigration enforcement. Company officials believe the changes may be linked to their refusal to agree to Lewandowski’s alleged requests. A senior DHS official told NBC News that Lewandowski advised against awarding additional contracts to GEO Group shortly after the meetings. Lewandowski denied influencing any such decisions.
Concerns extend beyond one company. Several contractors and industry insiders have raised complaints with White House officials. Some claim Lewandowski used his role as a “special government employee” to influence contract awards while allegedly seeking personal gain. Such complaints are rare in federal contracting, where companies typically avoid conflicts to maintain long-term relationships with government agencies.
The issue has drawn attention on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers questioned Kristi Noem about contracting decisions during a recent hearing. Trump later announced that Noem would leave her post by March 31.
Her potential replacement, Markwayne Mullin, told lawmakers he would cooperate with any investigation into DHS contracts. White House officials have also discussed the allegations internally. Some aides expressed concern about possible ethics violations, but have not taken formal action. Sources said officials worry Trump may defend Lewandowski, limiting internal response.
A separate case involved a marketing firm that explored subcontracting opportunities tied to DHS work. According to a person familiar with the discussions, the firm was told it needed to hire a consultant linked to Lewandowski to secure contracts.
The firm declined both offers after consulting industry contacts who warned of legal risks. The deals never moved forward. A company connected to the proposal, Salus Worldwide Solutions, denied any wrongdoing. Its representatives said they never required subcontractors to hire consultants or make payments tied to contract awards. Lewandowski’s spokesperson also rejected the claims, calling them false and unauthorized.
Experts say the allegations raise serious red flags. Jessica Tillipman, an authority on government procurement law, said such actions could violate federal rules. She noted that U.S. law prohibits public officials from seeking anything of value in exchange for influencing official decisions. Even the appearance of such behavior can undermine trust in the contracting process. DHS officials said Lewandowski complied with financial disclosure requirements tied to his role. However, his filings remain confidential because he is a temporary government employee.
