House Democrat demands info from company that owned DHS jet now used by Melania

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee is asking a company allegedly involved in the sale of a $70 million luxury jet to the Department of Homeland Security for more information about their potential ties to President Donald Trump.

Rep. Robert Garcia sent a letter to Fertitta Enterprises Inc. Thursday, requesting copies of contracts and internal communications the company had with former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, after plane records indicated the company once owned the jet.

Lawmakers have been looking into DHS’s purchase of the luxury Boeing 737 Max jet, outfitted with a bedroom, bar, flat screen TVs and other features, as part of a larger inquiry into purchases made while Noem and her de facto chief of staff Corey Lewandowski led the department.

Immigration enforcement officials initially indicated the plane was going to be used for deportations. However, department officials later told the Wall Street Journal the plane would be available to Cabinet members and other officials, such as First Lady Melania Trump

Fertitta Enterprises Inc., appears to be a company affiliated with billionaire businessman and the current Ambassador to Italy, Tillman Fertitta. He has donated thousands of dollars to Trump and Trump-affiliated PACs.

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The Independent has asked the Department of Homeland Security, the White House and a representative for Fertitta for comment.

“While the American people are struggling to make ends meet, Trump Administration officials are jet-setting in a luxury private jet. Did top officials buy themselves a $70 million plane from connected donors with taxpayer money and lie about its purpose?” Garcia wrote in a press release

A spokesperson for DHS previously told the Wall Street Journal that the luxury jet was purchased before Secretary Markwayne Mullin was confirmed to replace Noem.

“This aircraft will be available to cabinet members who need secure command and control and rapid long-range mobility,” the spokesperson said at the time.

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Fertitta Enterprises Inc. did not sell the jet directly to DHS. The company appears to have sold the jet for an undisclosed amount to Valkyrie Aviation, a company linked to William Walters, who Garcia describes as a”pro-Noem donor” who secured a separate lucrative contract under Noem.

Garcia has already requested information from Walters.

But now, the Democrat is asking Fertitta Enterprises Inc. to reveal how much it sold the jet to Valkyrie Aviation and whether a member of its company or related entity received anything of value or favorable treatment from Lewandowski.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are reviewing “potential corruption, self-dealing, and mismanagement" at DHS under Noem and Lewandowski, who was accused of soliciting payments in exchange for helping companies secure contracts.

A lawyer for Lewandowski has said his client “adamantly denies ever demanding any payment or compensation from any potential, former, or current government contractor—such allegations are not supported by a single piece of evidence (because there is none) and instead stem from almost entirely anonymous sources, save one person with a well-known axe to grind.”

Lewandowski’s lawyer added that his client played “no role” in reviewing or approving contracts.

Garcia is requesting Fertitta Enterprises Inc. respond to his questions and request for information by June 4.

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