Amid Corruption Allegations, Senator Hassan Opens Investigation Into Purchase of ICE Detention Facility For $420 Million Above Previous Asking Price

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), who is expected to Chair the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the new Congress, opened an investigation into allegations of corruption related to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) purchase of a detention facility in Appleton, Minnesota. In 2025, DHS reportedly purchased the Prairie Correctional Facility from CoreCivic, a major immigration detention contractor, for $495 million — shortly after Minnesota declined to purchase the same facility for $75 million. After paying more than six times the price offered to the state, DHS awarded CoreCivic a contract to operate the facility. Senator Hassan requested that DHS and CoreCivic preserve all records related to the sale. This push comes just days after CoreCivic’s CEO urged ICE to “ move quickly ” on these transactions following the recent election, and amid broader allegations of corruption involving DHS contracting. CoreCivic’s main competitor is GEO Group, which allegedly declined to engage in pay-to-play arrangements with Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Senator Hassan previously opened an investigation into Mr. Lewandowski’s alleged corruption and abuse of taxpayer dollars during his time at the department. “The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is investigating whether federal spending by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was subject to improper influence, corruption, or other violations of federal law,” Senator Hassan wrote in letters to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and CoreCivic President and CEO Lucibeth Mayberry asking them to preserve records related to the deal. “The transaction raises additional concerns about DHS stewardship of taxpayer dollars, particularly in light of recent findings by the Government Accountability Office that DHS has wasted millions of dollars on failed detention initiatives. It also follows allegations that Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, sought improper payments in connection with the business interests of GEO Group, Inc., another private detention contractor.” Read Senator Hassan’s letter to CoreCivic here or see below, and letter to Secretary Mullin here : Dear Ms. Mayberry: I write to request that CoreCivic, Inc. (CoreCivic) preserve all records and communications related to Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota, from January 1, 2025, to date and on an ongoing basis moving forward. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is investigating whether federal spending by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was subject to improper influence, corruption, or other violations of federal law. New reporting states that last year DHS bought the Prairie Correctional Facility from CoreCivic for $495 million, even though CoreCivic had previously attempted to sell the facility to the State of Minnesota for only $75 million. The transaction raises additional concerns about DHS stewardship of taxpayer dollars, particularly in light of recent findings by the Government Accountability Office that DHS has wasted millions of dollars on failed detention initiatives. It also follows allegations that Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, sought improper payments in connection with the business interests of GEO Group, Inc., another private detention contractor. Recent reporting also indicates that the Department of Justice is conducting a criminal probe of Mr. Lewandowski related to DHS contracting. This preservation request encompasses all records concerning the facility’s acquisition, valuation, financing, operation, and any proposed or completed sale, including appraisals, offers, negotiations, contracts, due diligence, financial analyses, internal deliberations, and communications concerning the transaction. It applies to your personal records, corporate records, and all communications with DHS, any person representing or purporting to be acting on behalf of DHS, or any consulting firms associated with DHS or its employees. It also includes any communications with White House and other Executive Office of the President personnel, including White House Border Czar Thomas Homan and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, special government employees, and other presidential appointees or advisers concerning the facility or its acquisition. This request applies to all potentially relevant information, regardless of format, location, or medium, including corporate and personal email accounts; electronic files and associated metadata; mobile devices; text messages; encrypted or disappearing messaging applications; social media; calendar entries; meeting notes; voicemail; and other electronic or physical records. CoreCivic should immediately suspend any automatic deletion, overwriting, or other routine destruction of potentially relevant information, including information maintained by third-party service providers, and instruct all relevant personnel to preserve responsive records. This request includes records in the possession, custody, or control of CoreCivic and its personnel, whether maintained on corporate or personal accounts or devices. Please confirm in writing by November 30, 2026 that CoreCivic has implemented this preservation request, notified all relevant custodians, and taken appropriate steps to suspend routine deletion or destruction of potentially responsive records. ###