In the US, FBI examined Senator Susan Collins in Navatek case — Rolling Stone

In the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation examined the possible involvement of Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine in an alleged bribery scheme connected to military contractor Navatek. As Rolling Stone reports, citing ProPublica, the investigation also concerned more than a dozen lawmakers from both parties.

Testimony of former Navatek executive

According to ProPublica, the investigation began after former Navatek CEO Martin Kao entered into a cooperation agreement with federal agents. In 2022, Kao was charged with illegal campaign contributions. The outlet says he told the FBI about a possible “quid pro quo” scheme worth nearly $1 million that may have involved dozens of lawmakers.

Documents obtained by ProPublica, according to Rolling Stone, indicate that Collins may have helped Navatek secure federal contracts worth millions of dollars, including by using her influence on the Senate Appropriations Committee. According to Kao’s account, in 2019 Collins’ super PAC asked Navatek for a $500,000 contribution toward her reelection and mentioned the senator’s previous assistance in obtaining a U.S. Navy contract in Maine.

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According to the source, Kao told federal agents that he informed the head of the political committee that he was willing to consider the contribution provided there was assistance in securing new contracts. One 2019 email from a U.S. Navy official referred to an inquiry from Collins’ office regarding $8 million and identified Navatek as the company of interest.

The FBI’s and senator’s positions

Rolling Stone writes that after Donald Trump was elected, the FBI’s anti-corruption unit was reduced. According to ProPublica, one of the agents who questioned Kao was dismissed because of her role in an investigation into Trump’s possible interference in the 2020 election, while the lawyer assigned to the case resigned.

At the same time, the FBI told ProPublica that it found nothing that could indicate the involvement of Collins or her election campaign. The senator’s office also denied any wrongdoing on her part.