The Justice Department is investigating allegations that Corey Lewandowski, the former senior adviser and de facto chief of staff to ex-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, used his position inside DHS for personal financial gain, according to two sources familiar with the matter who confirmed the probe to CBS News. The investigation was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Lewandowski and Noem were both ousted from the Department of Homeland Security in March. The allegations under review center on contracts set up during Noem's tenure, and whether Lewandowski profited personally from decisions connected to them. He has not been charged with a crime.

His attorney, Adam Trigg, told CBS News that Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department and denies any wrongdoing, saying his client served his country "in a voluntary capacity." The DHS Office of Inspector General had already been asked by House Democrats back in March to formally investigate Lewandowski's influence over department contracts; the Inspector General's subsequent findings are what prompted this month's referral to DOJ.

IF HE WASN'T HONEST, YOU HAVE TO PAY A PRICE

That was President Trump's response Thursday when asked about the investigation, telling reporters he had just heard about it and had not been briefed by Attorney General Todd Blanche. Trump said he wants his officials to be honest, and that those who aren't should face prosecution.

A DHS Known for Bottlenecks

Before their March departure, some senior DHS officials privately complained that Noem and Lewandowski micromanaged contracts and operational decisions. Noem had required her personal written approval for any contract, grant or funding obligation above $100,000 — a policy some officials said created backlogs for essential funding, including disaster relief, even though she said it was intended to tighten oversight.

Lewandowski served as a special government employee, an unpaid status that nonetheless gave him, according to the Journal's reporting, unusually broad authority inside DHS, including involvement in personnel matters and contracting decisions. Investigators are now examining numerous contracts approved during Noem's tenure and the extent of Lewandowski's role in shaping them.

Lewandowski was Trump's first campaign manager in 2016 and has played a role in every Trump campaign since. The Justice Department declined to comment on the investigation; CBS News said it had also asked DHS for comment and had not received one by publication.