Full Breakdown
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins at Center of Alleged Navatek Pay-to-Play Scheme
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Alleged Bribery Scheme Involving Navatek and Collins’ Super PAC
Federal investigators examined interactions between Sen. Susan Collins and Martin Kao, CEO of defense contractor Navatek. Kao told the FBI that the head of Collins’ super PAC, 1820 PAC, solicited a $500,000 contribution in late 2019. To conceal the source, Kao routed $150,000 through a shell company called “Society for Young Women Scientist.” Emails obtained by ProPublica show PAC director Scott Reed acknowledging Kao’s involvement with a note, “Very smart.” Kao later told Navatek executives that Collins had committed to securing roughly $32 million in Navy contracts for the company.
Background & Context
Navatek, based in Hawaii, has multiple federal convictions. Founder Steven Loui is serving an 87-month sentence for COVID-relief fraud and money-laundering. Kao was convicted on five money-laundering counts, three wire-fraud counts, one bank-fraud count and false SEC filings. After pleading guilty, Kao cooperated with the FBI. The alleged scheme unfolded while Collins chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees defense spending.
Data & Statistics
- $150,000 donation funneled through a shell company in 2019.
- $500,000 total request from Navatek to 1820 PAC.
- Kao claimed Collins secured $32 million in additional Navy contracts for Navatek.
- Navatek received an $8 million Pentagon contract in 2019.
- Kao and associates donated nearly $900,000 to dozens of politicians, helping Navatek operate in six states with more than $40 million a year in government funds.
Official Statements & Responses
- Collins’ deputy chief of staff said the office “vigorously” denies the bribery allegations and “fully cooperated” with the FBI.
- Navatek founder Steven Loui called Kao’s methods “unethical and illegal” but said the company “fully complied with law enforcement.”
- Collins’ campaign manager Steve Abbott said there is “no record” of a call to Kao and that thanking donors is routine.
Criticism & Opposition
- Maine Democrats have displayed a printed copy of the $150,000 check at a news conference and accused Collins of “pay-for-play.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- An FBI spokesperson said Collins is not implicated, while ProPublica reported agents were still reviewing Kao’s relationship with Collins in early 2025.
- Collins’ office cites a 2021 Justice Department review that found no wrongdoing; ProPublica notes Kao’s statements came after that review and that the investigation was reportedly halted after the 2024 election of President Donald Trump, who “purged” the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section.
- No public record confirms whether Collins personally received the $150,000 donation or if the funds were redirected through family members, a point highlighted by an email from campaign finance director Amy Abbott thanking Kao for “ALL the Kao support.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Biden-led Justice Department and FBI totally cleared my office, my campaign and me five years ago of these seven-year-old allegations.” — Sen. Susan Collins
- “ProPublica took the word of someone who pled guilty to five counts of money laundering, three counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and making false submissions to the FEC,” — Clark.
