Report: GOP donor demands money back from Landry over campaign consultant accused of harassment

John Odom, a major Republican donor from Idaho, wants $100,000 in political contributions back from Attorney General Jeff Landry after discovering Landry had hired a political consultant who allegedly harassed Odom’s ex-wife, according to Politico.

Odom told Politico it was “obvious that [Landry] is not the kind of leader that Louisiana needs.”

Landry has paid Corey Lewandowski, one of Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign managers, $100,000 since April to work on his bid to beLouisiana’s next governor. His declined to say Monday whether he is returning Odom’s money or would cut ties with Lewandowski.

The first payment came a few months after Lewandowski struck a plea deal with Las Vegas prosecutors to avoid misdemeanor battery charges over his alleged sexual harassment of Trashelle Odom, then-wife of John Odom.

In 2021, Trashelle Odom accused Lewandowski of repeatedly touching her, following her around a Las Vegas bar and eventually throwing a drink at her after she rejected his advances. At the time, she and Lewandowski were attending the same charity event, and John Odom wasn’t present.

Lewandowski, an on-and-off again political adviser to Trump, has also been accused of misconduct by other women, resulting in at at least one other set of misdemeanor batter charges — which were later dropped — in 2016.

John Odom told Politico that Lewandowski was “unfit to serve in any capacity in any political campaign,” and said Landry should reconsider working with him.

But while John Odom expressed anger at Landry, Trashelle Odom still supports Landry’s campaign for governor.

“Jeff Landry is not just my friend but I truly believe the strongest Attorney General in America,” she said in a written statement to the Illuminator. “Jeff has my full and complete support for governor of the state of Louisiana.”

“I was married to John at the time he made his donation to Jeff, so half of that money was mine,” she wrote. “Not only should Jeff not return that money, but he should spend every dime to make sure he’s Louisiana’s next governor.”

Trashelle Odom’s comments did not address Landry’s decision to hire Lewandowski.

In response to questions about Lewandowski, Landry’s campaign released a statement highlighting his widespread political support.

“Our campaign has over 11,000 donors from every corner of Louisiana,” said Kate Kelly, spokesperson for Landry’s campaign. “We appreciate all of the support and are looking forward to working to make Louisiana Great Again.”