Story perspectives

Collins Accused of $2.575M Illegal Contributions via Straw Donor Firm

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is accused of receiving $2.575 million in illegal contributions via the straw-donor firm Ardleigh.
The Federal Election Commission cannot act because it lacks enough members after 2025 commissioner changes.
Leonard Leo’s dark-money network includes the Lexington Fund funded by Marble Freedom Trust and Concord Fund.
Two super PACs supporting Collins—Pine Tree Results PAC and Stronger Maine—have received $7.4 million from undisclosed dark-money nonprofits.

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Story summary

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is accused of receiving $2.575 million in illegal contributions via the straw-donor firm Ardleigh.
The Federal Election Commission cannot act because it lacks enough members after 2025 commissioner changes.
Leonard Leo’s dark-money network includes the Lexington Fund funded by Marble Freedom Trust and Concord Fund.
Two super PACs supporting Collins—Pine Tree Results PAC and Stronger Maine—have received $7.4 million from undisclosed dark-money nonprofits.