FBI says earlier inquiry found nothing implicating Collins
Federal law-enforcement agency, speaking through spokesperson Ben Williamson
“and ultimately found nothing implicating Senator Collins or Senator Collins’ campaign. Any suggestion otherwise is totally false.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Anchor investigation reporting previously undisclosed FBI cooperation interviews, internal company emails, campaign and lobbying communications, and responses from Collins's office, the FBI, Scott Reed, Glen Mandigo, Andy Winer and Steven Loui. The article says Kao had credibility incentives and that no one working for Collins was charged.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
ProPublica asked the FBI about both the earlier campaign-finance inquiry and the later bribery investigation prompted by Kao's cooperation.
After the quotation
Williamson did not answer the outlet's questions about the reported 2024 investigation and separately defended personnel removals under the Trump administration.
How this statement is classified
Responding to: Susan Collins knowingly participated in a pay-to-play arrangement in which Navatek campaign support was exchanged for her office's assistance obtaining federal contracts.
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the allegation that Collins knowingly participated in the arrangement, the FBI says its earlier investigation found nothing implicating her or her campaign and calls contrary suggestions false. This is a denial, limited to the earlier investigation.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Susan Collins
Did Susan Collins Trade Federal Contract Support for Navatek Campaign Donations?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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Read the full case“This is corruption of the highest order. Susan Collins delivered millions in taxpayer dollars for a corrupt donor bankrolling her campaign, and then Donald Trump helped her cover it up.”Read statement
“The seven-year-old allegations made against Senator Collins and her staff in this piece are categorically false. There have never been any allegations of wrongdoing by the Collins for Senator campaign, and the campaign was never the target of the FBI investigation.”Read statement
“The company received no Collins-supported funding after Martin Kao's arrest, nor should it. What Martin Kao and his cabal did was wrong.”Read statement