# ProPublica: FBI Bribery Probe Into Collins Died Under Trump

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/propublica-fbi-bribery-probe-into-collins-died-under-trump
- Published: 2026-09-23T13:13:02.216688+00:00
- Topics: susan-collins, campaign-finance, fbi, elections-2026, corruption-allegations

## What the left says
- A Navatek executive told agents his company won federal contracts by funneling $500,000 in disguised donations to Collins' super PAC through a shell company, with internal emails describing a $32 million payoff.
- The FBI's public corruption unit had gathered enough evidence by late 2024 to pursue a sweeping bribery investigation potentially implicating multiple lawmakers, not just Collins.
- Trump's overhaul of the FBI and DOJ's public corruption teams after his reelection effectively terminated the probe before it could run its course, denying the public a full accounting.
- An internal company email and a former Navatek executive's on-record account—'Oh my God, all of it is for sale'—suggest this pay-to-play dynamic may reflect a broader pattern in Washington, not an isolated incident.

## What the right says
- Collins' office and the FBI itself have stated her campaign was never the actual target of the investigation, directly contradicting the story's framing.
- The central accuser, Martin Kao, is a convicted felon who pleaded guilty to money laundering, wire fraud, bank fraud, and FEC violations, and reportedly leveled these claims against Collins only after he was facing sentencing.
- The former FBI agent who initiated the inquiry, Kevin Gounaud, has a documented history of politically motivated actions, including an effort to investigate Elon Musk, and was later fired.
- The report's timing—six weeks before a tight Maine Senate election where Collins' opponent has struggled to consolidate Democratic support—raises questions about whether it is designed to influence the race rather than simply report news.

## Common ground
- A Navatek fundraising meeting took place at a Corner Bakery in Washington, D.C. in late 2019 involving Collins' super PAC fundraiser Scott Reed and Navatek executives.
- Navatek CEO Martin Kao pleaded guilty to federal crimes including money laundering, wire fraud, and false FEC submissions.
- No member of Collins' campaign or office has been criminally charged in connection with the Navatek matter.
- The FBI's investigation into potential public corruption tied to this matter did not result in continued prosecution after 2024.

## Sources
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2026/09/22/hackery-an-attempted-propublica-smear-campaign-against-susan-collins-quickly-falls-apart-n2207247) (Unknown)
- [Salon](https://www.salon.com/2026/09/23/the-fbi-anti-corruption-squad-was-circling-susan-collins-until-trump-got-in-the-way-partner/) (Left)
- [HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fbi-anti-corruption-squad-circling-susan-collins-trump-got-in-way_n_6ab27f00e4b08976697b84cf) (Left)
- [ProPublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-susan-collins-navatek-campaign-donations-investigation) (Lean Left)
- [The Federalist](https://thefederalist.com/2026/09/23/discredited-activists-at-propublica-cite-other-discredited-activists-to-concoct-susan-collins-hit-piece/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discredited-activists-at-propublica-cite-other-discredited-activists-to-concoct-susan-collins-hit-piece) (Right)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6104394-jackson-attacks-collins-corruption-navatek/) (Center)
- [Townhall](https://townhall.com/news/mattvespa/2026/09/23/propublica-drops-a-sloppy-hit-piece-against-susan-collinsand-her-staff-quickly-shut-it-down-n2683420) (Right)

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