Susan Collins Denies FBI Probe Report Over $150,000 Donation as Maine Senate Race Tightens
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Sep 23
Susan Collins Denies FBI Probe Report Over $150,000 Donation as Maine Senate Race Tightens
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Sep 23
Summary
Susan Collins called ProPublica’s report “absolutely outrageous” and a “political hit job,” rejecting allegations that her campaign was tied to donations-for-contracts involving defense firm Navatek and former CEO Martin Kao.
The report said the FBI sought a new corruption investigation in 2024 after a Republican consultant allegedly solicited large donations in exchange for millions in federal contracts, but that effort later died after Trump-era FBI cuts.
Collins and her aides said the matter was already investigated and resolved, with the campaign fully cooperating; Collins said the Biden Justice Department found no wrongdoing by her, her office or campaign staff.
An FBI spokesperson told ProPublica the agency had previously investigated the claims and found nothing implicating Collins or her campaign, while not answering questions about the alleged separate 2024 inquiry.
The dispute lands weeks before a closely watched Maine Senate election that could help decide chamber control, with Democratic rival Troy Jackson seizing on the report as evidence of corruption.