Some DHS contractors told White House officials they were asked to pay Corey Lewandowski
Some DHS Contractors Claimed They Were Requested to Pay Corey Lewandowski
Over a year ago, George Zoley, the founder of The GEO Group, sought a meeting with Corey Lewandowski, a key advisor to President Donald Trump who had recently joined the Homeland Security Department. Zoley’s company, which operates federal detention facilities, stood to gain significantly from Trump’s immigration policies, which aimed to increase deportations. This policy would funnel billions in federal funding toward transportation, detention, and monitoring of undocumented immigrants. At the time, GEO Group’s contracts in these areas already totaled over $1 billion annually.
Confrontation During the Transition Period
Zoley and Lewandowski had a prior disagreement during the shift from Trump’s November 2024 election to his January 2025 inauguration. According to two industry insiders and a senior DHS official, Lewandowski approached Zoley during this period, asking for payment in exchange for protecting and expanding GEO Group’s contracts. Zoley expressed concern about the fairness of the request, and the two had a tense exchange, as described by those present.
Lewandowski later became an unpaid “special government employee” at DHS, where he served as a strategic advisor to Secretary Kristi Noem. His influence over contract decisions was noted by sources, who claimed he pushed for favorable outcomes. Despite this, Zoley attempted to resolve the conflict by offering a retainer to Lewandowski in late February or early March 2025, but Lewandowski rejected the proposal, insisting payments should be tied to new or renewed contracts.
Contract Changes and Ongoing Disputes
Following their initial clash, two of GEO Group’s federal contracts were shortened, and several facilities remain underutilized despite increased funding for DHS’s deportation efforts. A GEO Group insider suggested this shift was linked to their refusal to meet Lewandowski’s demands. A senior DHS official confirmed that shortly after the second meeting, Lewandowski advised against awarding additional contracts to the company.
“He wanted payments — what some people would call a success fee,” said a person informed of the discussion.
Lewandowski’s spokesperson has denied these claims, stating, “This is absolutely false and did not happen — Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the GEO Group, at any time.” When asked about financial benefits from contracts he approved, Lewandowski previously told NBC News, “zero, not one penny.”
Lawmakers have since scrutinized Lewandowski’s role in government contracts. Noem testified in a congressional hearing earlier this month, where questions were raised about her and Lewandowski’s involvement. Trump later called both and inquired about Lewandowski’s decisions. The president dismissed Noem from her position, effective March 31, but Lewandowski has not yet decided whether to leave DHS with her. In December 2025, GEO Group secured a new $121 million contract, though Lewandowski’s team continues to deny any financial ties to the agreement.
Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee to replace Noem, Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, faced questions during a congressional hearing about his cooperation with a Democratic-led investigation into three businesses awarded a $220 million advertising contract featuring Noem. The probe examines whether she or Lewandowski benefited financially from these deals.
