A top advisor to President Donald Trump is now under investigation from the White House for having allegedly “gamed the system” in undercounting their work hours, Axios reported Thursday.
White House officials told Axios that Corey Lewandowski is being investigated for “failing to swipe in” to work, dodging a limitation imposed on him as a special government employee, which limits him to working 130 days a year.
"We're hearing that Corey's doing everything – failing to swipe in, working from home, whatever – to undercount his days,” a White House official told Axios, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “It's fair to say his work is being watched now."
As a special government employee, Lewandowski is exempt from the traditional requirements of a full-time employee of the federal government, such as having to file financial disclosures and forgo private employment and business dealings. But according to four White House officials, Lewandowski has likely already “exceeded his allowed time as a temporary employee,” despite records suggesting he’s only worked 69 days this year.
Lewandowski’s role in the Trump administration has been murky. While he was described by Trump as being appointed as his personal envoy, he has introduced himself as the “chief of staff” to Homeland Security Secretary Kirsti Noem, only for DHS to later clarify that he was actually just an adviser to DHS.
Two “sources with Knowledge of Lewandowski’s work” also told Axios that the Trump advisor has been “seen entering government buildings with other employees to avoid swiping his own badge.”
Lewandowski maintains a significant influence at DHS, and is frequently seen accompanying Noem, amid rumors of an alleged affair between the two, both of whom are married. His influence at the agency is also causing fear among many employees, according to a former DHS official.
“Everybody's scared s—less" a former DHS official told Axios, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “The feeling is that if they go up against Corey, they're going to lose. And I would have to say they're right."