Trump's Actions Shielded Collins From Major Bribery Probe
WHO:
ProPublica - Martin Kao, CEO of Navatek, provided a 50-page document detailing dealings with over a dozen members of Congress and their staff to the FBI.
ProPublica - Annie Clark, Collins’ deputy chief of staff, stated that Collins’ office “vigorously” denies allegations of bribery and pay-for-play made by Kao.
Rolling Stone Politics - Senator Susan Collins, President Trump, Scott Reed (head of Collins' super PAC), Martin Kao (CEO of Navatek), FBI agents, Ben Williamson (FBI spokesperson), Annie Clark (Collins' deputy chief of staff).
Alternet - Eric Schiff (former Navatek executive), Glen Mandigo (lobbyist for Navatek), Todd Webster (lobbyist), Cleta Mitchell (lawyer for the super PAC), Michelle Ball and Kevin Gounaud (FBI agents).
WHAT:
ProPublica - Kao claimed that the company’s work for the government was of no real value, stating, “Most companies of our size do not have the resources to endlessly hire expensive lobbyists and make political donations.”
ProPublica - Navatek's annual revenue increased from $10 million to almost $40 million during Kao's tenure.
Rolling Stone Politics - Navatek's CEO Martin Kao claimed that Collins committed to securing $32 million in naval contracts for the company after a meeting in early 2020.
Alternet - Kao's donations to Collins included around $33,000 through illegal straw donors, which were part of a broader scheme that involved nearly $900,000 in contributions to various politicians.
Alternet - The FBI's investigation into Kao's dealings was hindered by changes in the Justice Department under Trump, which led to a reduction in public corruption investigations.
Rolling Stone Politics - Documents suggest Collins used her power to secure government contracts for donors.
Alternet - In late 2019, Kao proposed a $500,000 donation to Collins in exchange for government contracts, which would constitute criminal bribery.
Alternet - Kao sent an initial $150,000 to Collins' super PAC using a shell company, and later claimed Collins committed to securing $32 million in naval contracts for Navatek.
Alternet - Kao was indicted in 2022 for making illegal campaign contributions, but no one from Collins' team was charged.
Alternet - Kao's donations to Collins included around $33,000 through illegal straw donors.
WHERE:
Alternet - The meeting between Reed and Navatek executives took place at a Corner Bakery in Washington, D.C.
Alternet - Navatek is based in Hawaii and has operations in Maine.
WHEN:
ProPublica - Kao's final meeting with the FBI occurred in September 2024.
Alternet - Kao's tell-all interviews with the FBI lasted into late 2024, and by the end of 2024, agents had enough evidence to pursue a sweeping bribery probe.
Alternet - The Corner Bakery meeting occurred in the final weeks of 2019.
Alternet - Kao's tell-all interviews with the FBI lasted into late 2024.
Alternet - Kao was arrested on September 30, 2020, and later sentenced to 87 months in prison.
WHY:
ProPublica - The investigation sparked by Kao’s revelations is dead, and the government is no longer communicating with an informant who had offered a road map to corruption in Congress.
Alternet - The investigation sparked by Kao's revelations is dead, and the government is no longer talking to an informant who had offered a road map to corruption in Congress.
Alternet - Collins was in danger of losing her Senate seat due to President Trump's low approval ratings and her lagging fundraising efforts.
Alternet - Navatek sought to secure more government contracts in exchange for political contributions.
HOW:
ProPublica - The FBI agents who had been investigating the bribery case were purged from their positions after Trump returned to the White House.
Alternet - The specialized FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption investigations were eviscerated under Trump's administration, impacting ongoing investigations.
Alternet - Navatek planned to funnel donations through a shell company to conceal the source of funds.
Alternet - Kao's operation involved a pay-to-play scheme where he traded cash for contracts, using campaign contributions to influence lawmakers.
Alternet - The FBI's investigation into Kao's dealings was hindered by changes in the Justice Department under Trump, which led to a reduction in public corruption investigations.
(UPDATED September 22, 2026 20:00 UTC)
In a significant development, Martin Kao, the CEO of Navatek, has provided a detailed 50-page document to the FBI outlining his company's dealings with numerous members of Congress and their staff. Kao claims that the government work done by Navatek was of little value, while also revealing that the company's annual revenue surged from $10 million to nearly $40 million during his leadership. Meanwhile, the investigation into these allegations has been closed, and the FBI agents who were looking into the bribery case were removed from their positions following Trump's return to the White House.
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(UPDATED September 22, 2026 19:01 UTC)
Navatek's CEO Martin Kao has alleged that Collins committed to securing $32 million in naval contracts for the company following a meeting in early 2020, while also revealing that his donations to Collins included around $33,000 through illegal straw donors as part of a larger scheme involving nearly $900,000 in contributions to various politicians. The FBI's investigation into Kao's dealings faced significant setbacks due to changes in the Justice Department under Trump, which resulted in a reduction of public corruption investigations, and although Kao's interviews with the FBI continued into late 2024, the investigation sparked by his revelations has since stalled. As a result, the government is no longer engaging with an informant who had provided a detailed road map to corruption in Congress, and the specialized teams within the FBI and DOJ that were focused on public corruption were significantly diminished during Trump's administration.
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(UPDATED September 22, 2026 18:00 UTC)
Documents have surfaced suggesting that Senator Susan Collins may have used her influence to secure government contracts for donors, including a proposal from Martin Kao, CEO of Navatek, who offered a $500,000 donation in exchange for contracts. In late 2019, Kao allegedly funneled $150,000 to Collins' super PAC through a shell company, claiming she would help secure $32 million in naval contracts, although he was indicted for illegal contributions in 2022 without any charges against Collins' team. The FBI's investigation into these dealings faced challenges due to changes in the Justice Department under Trump, which reduced public corruption probes, highlighting the complexities surrounding political contributions and influence.