Susan Collins tears into bribery allegations as new claims emerge during critical Senate battle
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, is addressing claims she was caught up in an FBI bribery investigation, dismissing reporting on the story as the work of Democratic operatives and...
By Fox News · Fox News
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, is addressing claims she was caught up in an FBI bribery investigation, dismissing reporting on the story as the work of Democratic operatives and a known conman. ProPublica reported that Martin Kao, a former defense contractor CEO and convicted fraudster, told the FBI his company funneled $150,000 through a shell company to a super PAC supporting Collins’ 2020 reelection as part of what he described as a broader pay-to-play operation involving political contributions and government contracts. His cooperation later helped open a new phase of the federal investigation that developed into a broader bribery probe. Shortly after the story broke, Collins spoke up to dismiss Kao on the basis of his character and called into question the origins of the story. "I've got to say, I do not understand how anyone would take the word of a felon who's been convicted twice — twice, two separate cases — of five counts of money laundering, counts of bank fraud, false submissions to the FEC. He is a convicted liar," the senator told The Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel. GOP SENATOR ALLEGES SCHUMER BEHIND 'HIT JOB' REPORT ON FORMER PATIENTS In a separate interview with Punchbowl News, Collins blamed Democrats and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the controversy, calling the report a "political hit job" and questioning its timing. Collins is embroiled in a heated re-election campaign against Democrat Troy Jackson. Whether Collins keeps her seat could prove crucial to determining which party controls the Senate in 2027. Any hint of controversy for either candidate, naturally, is suited to become a national controversy. FOX NEWS POLL: MAINE SENATE RACE IS TIGHT, WITH CONCERNS ABOUT BOTH CANDIDATES Campaign finance records cited by ProPublica show that a shell company established by Kao made a donation to a super PAC supporting Collins’ 2020 re-election campaign. The outlet also obtained emails that it says show Scott Reed, head of the sup…