DHS Inquiry Hits Snag Over Missing Contract Tied to Noem-Era FEMA Hire
The lost Kara Voorhies paperwork has become the key obstacle in audits of how DHS handled a $220 million advertising push.
Overview
- Investigators say FEMA cannot find contractor Kara Voorhies’ agreement, which blocks them from tracing who approved her pay and role.
- Department officials were told she earned up to $19,000 a week, a level that prompted concern from the DHS inspector general.
- Officials say Corey Lewandowski brought Voorhies into FEMA during Kristi Noem’s tenure leading DHS, and she left the department this month.
- The inspector general flagged her appointment as potentially criminal and can only refer the case to the Justice Department, not bring charges.
- The broader reviews of the $220 million DHS ad campaign are probing no-bid awards and possible personal enrichment, while Lewandowski’s representative denies wrongdoing.