The FBI anti-corruption squad was circling Susan Collins — until Trump got in the way

ProPublica reports that Navatek CEO Martin Kao told FBI agents over three days in Honolulu that he ran a pay-to-play scheme funneling nearly $900,000 to dozens of politicians, including an alleged arrangement where a shell-company donation to Sen. Susan Collins's super PAC preceded a committed $32 million in naval contracts, according to an internal company email reviewed by the outlet.

By late 2024, agents reportedly had enough from Kao's cooperation and seized records to seek approval for a broader bribery investigation touching lawmakers of both parties. No one working for Collins has been charged, and Kao himself is a convicted felon seeking a lighter sentence by cooperating.

After Trump returned to office, ProPublica reports specialized public-corruption units were gutted, an agent who took Kao's confession was pushed out, and the newer investigation went dead, with the government no longer in contact with Kao.

An FBI spokesperson told ProPublica the agency previously investigated Collins and 'found nothing implicating' her, calling any suggestion otherwise 'totally false,' and said agents are removed only for unethical conduct or 'weaponization' of law enforcement; the spokesperson did not address questions about the 2024 investigation.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.