Susan Collins's claim that the DOJ and FBI "cleared" her is narrower than she suggested: it applied only to inquiries concluded by 2021. ProPublica reports allegations from former Navatek CEO Martin Kao covering 2022–2024 that the FBI continued to investigate until the probe was closed under the Trump administration. The University of Maine denies any recent Navatek connection, while Collins's team criticizes the reporting; ProPublica says it corroborated the story with FBI evidence and extensive records. The revelations complicate Collins's tight reelection race against Troy Jackson.
ProPublica Report Undermines Susan Collins’s Corruption Defense Ahead of Tight Reelection
Susan Collins’s Flimsy Corruption Defense Collapses
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine faces renewed scrutiny after a ProPublica investigation that links her to an alleged "pay-to-play" arrangement with defense contractor Navatek.
"The Biden-led Justice Department and FBI totally cleared my office, my campaign and me five years ago of these seven-year-old allegations," Collins told The Wall Street Journal.
That statement is accurate only for inquiries concluded by 2021. ProPublica's reporting centers on allegations made by former Navatek CEO and Collins donor Martin Kao covering 2022–2024 — matters the FBI reportedly investigated until that probe was closed during the current (Trump) administration.
ProPublica also reported that Navatek, which is accused of seeking government contracts in exchange for campaign contributions, produced little to no tangible benefit for Maine residents.
At a Wednesday press conference, Collins's campaign manager Steve Abbott pointed to Navatek's 2019 research and displayed photos of a recently launched University of Maine boat to suggest local benefits. The University of Maine disputed that claim: "This most recent boat has no Navatek connection, and UMaine has not worked with Navatek since 2021," said Samantha Warren of UMaine.
Annie Clark, Collins's deputy chief of staff, criticized ProPublica for relying on Martin Kao, who pleaded guilty to multiple financial crimes. ProPublica responded that its story was not based solely on Kao's account: reporters reviewed FBI evidence, thousands of pages of legal records, and spoke with sources familiar with Navatek and the investigation.
These developments arrive as Collins campaigns for reelection against former state senator Troy Jackson in a competitive race. The reporting complicates her defense and gives voters additional context as they consider the broader political and ethical implications this November.
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