Story perspectives

FBI Finds No Evidence Linking Susan Collins to Scandal

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 11:54 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The FBI concluded its probe found no evidence implicating Senator Susan Collins or her campaign.
ProPublica reported the investigation began after Navatek founder William Kao claimed a $150,000 donation bought contracts.
Kao, sentenced to 87 months in 2025 for campaign-finance crimes, alleged Collins secured $32 million for Navatek.
Deputy chief of staff Annie Clark called the allegations categorically false and said the campaign fully cooperated.

History

Historical Context

Jack Abramoff’s 2005-06 lobbying scandal, in which he pleaded guilty in January 2006 and was sentenced in March 2006, exposed $85 million in tribal fees and bribery of Republican lawmakers. The fallout spurred bipartisan lobbying-disclosure reforms passed in September 2006 and heightened Senate Ethics scrutiny, a backdrop for today’s FBI clearance of Senator Susan Collins.

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Story summary

The FBI concluded its probe found no evidence implicating Senator Susan Collins or her campaign.
ProPublica reported the investigation began after Navatek founder William Kao claimed a $150,000 donation bought contracts.
Kao, sentenced to 87 months in 2025 for campaign-finance crimes, alleged Collins secured $32 million for Navatek.
Deputy chief of staff Annie Clark called the allegations categorically false and said the campaign fully cooperated.

1 / 2