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ProPublica Report Links Susan Collins to Navatek Pay-to-Play Scheme

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 2:29 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Probe Paused After Trump

On Sept. 22 2026, ProPublica published a report alleging U.S. Senator Susan Collins was linked to a pay-to-play scheme with defense contractor Navatek.
The FBI halted its 2024 bribery investigation after President Donald Trump assumed office in 2025.
Navatek CEO Martin Kao later alleged the scheme, though investigators questioned his credibility.
Deputy chief of staff Annie Clark said campaign fully cooperated with FBI, resolved in 2021.

Left

FBI Finds No Evidence

ProPublica reported on Sept. 22 2026 that U.S. Senator Susan Collins was linked to a pay-to-play scheme with defense contractor Navatek.
The report emphasizes possible misuse of taxpayer dollars and a halted FBI probe, raising accountability concerns for public institutions.
Collins’ office called the allegations false and denied any wrongdoing.
The FBI found no evidence against Collins, noting Navatek CEO Martin Kao’s 2022 guilty plea.

Blindspot

ProPublica cited emails indicating that staff members in Senator Susan Collins’ office urged the Navy to award contracts to defense contractor Navatek after receiving campaign donations.
Within this story's sources, this email evidence appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

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Probe Paused After Trump

On Sept. 22 2026, ProPublica published a report alleging U.S. Senator Susan Collins was linked to a pay-to-play scheme with defense contractor Navatek.
The FBI halted its 2024 bribery investigation after President Donald Trump assumed office in 2025.
Navatek CEO Martin Kao later alleged the scheme, though investigators questioned his credibility.
Deputy chief of staff Annie Clark said campaign fully cooperated with FBI, resolved in 2021.

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