Susan Collins corruption claims amid reelection bid
The gist
ProPublica published a report alleging Susan Collins was in a pay-for-play scheme with donor Martin Kao.
Democrats seized on it in a tight Maine Senate race deciding chamber control.
How it unfolded
- 2022Martin Kao, former CEO of defense contractor Navatek and one of Collins' top donors, pleaded guilty to illegal campaign contributions involving a pro-Collins super PAC.
- 2024The FBI sought to launch an investigation examining interactions between Collins and Kao; emails show the FBI was still interviewing Kao as late as 2024.
- By late 2024The agency reportedly had enough evidence to pursue a sweeping bribery probe involving Collins and other members of Congress.