Senator Collins dismisses corruption allegations as 'completely false' amid FBI examination
US Senator Susan Collins of Maine has rejected allegations that she traded federal contracts for campaign contributions, claiming the charges have been repeatedly disproven by federal agencies.
What happened
Collins dismissed an ethics complaint filed by a Maine attorney, stating the allegations were "completely false" and recycled from 2020. The complaint follows reporting by ProPublica that Martin Kao, former CEO of defense contractor Navatek and now serving 87 months for fraud and campaign finance crimes, told FBI agents that his company won millions in federal funding by bankrolling politicians, with Collins as his most important patron. Kao claimed he sent $150,000 through a shell company after the head of Collins's super PAC requested $500,000, and that Collins's office promised to secure $32 million in naval contracts. ProPublica reported that at least $10 million in Senate funding was allocated that year based on Navatek's proposals. Collins said she backed funding only because the University of Maine requested it, that she never heard of Navatek, and called Kao "a crook" whom she did not know. She noted a photograph exists showing Kao meeting with her months before he made any contribution.
Context
The allegations bear on whether Collins used her position to direct federal resources to a company in exchange for campaign funding—a potential bribery scheme. ProPublica's reporting reviewed FBI evidence, legal records, and dozens of interviews, and independently corroborated much of Kao's account, including emails in which Collins's super PAC chair replied "Very smart" to Kao's shell company plan and asked for his phone number so Collins could thank him. The FBI reportedly sought to open a broader bribery investigation in 2024, but the effort collapsed after Donald Trump returned to office and purged the bureau's public corruption teams. No one in Collins's orbit was charged, and Collins was never interviewed. The timing intersects with Collins's campaign to retain her Senate seat ahead of the midterm elections.
What's disputed
Whether Kao's account of a quid pro quo arrangement is accurate; whether Collins knew about Navatek or Kao; whether the $32 million in contracts were promised in exchange for contributions; whether Collins backed the funding for legitimate policy reasons (University of Maine request) or corrupt ones; the extent of Collins's super PAC chair's involvement and knowledge.