Post

ProPublica
@propublica.org

Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵

ProPublica
@propublica.org

2/ Our story starts in 2019. Collins is at risk of losing her seat. A year earlier, she helped Navatek land a multimillion-dollar Navy contract in Maine. Scott Reed, head of the pro-Collins super PAC, meets with Navatek execs in a D.C. cafe and asks for a $500K donation.

ProPublica
@propublica.org

3/ This is risky. Government contractors are banned from making political contributions. For the company to offer donations to Collins in exchange for an official action, or for Collins to accept, would constitute criminal bribery.

264 reposts1.7K likes

Jackie Knott
@benignoldbiddy.bsky.social

It hasn't stopped major companies from donating untold millions; they find a workaround. That's another thing Dems need to address when we regain the majority: we have a very long list of Amendments to rewrite/update.

LeftistJew
@leftistjew.bsky.social

Is this “Concerned Collins” September Surprise? G-d dammit I live for alliteration I’m sure once she knows more about the situation she’ll, yet again, become “gravely concerned” Which offers dick for her constituents who need, oh, IDK 🤷‍♂️, SOME ACTION This isn’t a school shooting You can’t just

LeftistJew
@leftistjew.bsky.social

Pray about it and make one tweet telling everyone you’re concerned about the ease in which unwell 18 year old boys can acquire weapons of war quicker/simpler than receiving affordable mental health care in this country Until we make it as simple to see a doctor as simple as buying an AR-15 in the🇺🇸

ProPublica
@propublica.org

4/ To skirt campaign finance laws and conceal the source of the funds, Navatek’s CEO, Martin Kao, sends an initial $150K to the pro-Collins super PAC (1820 PAC) using a shell company. Reed knows Kao is behind the donation. “Very smart,” he says in an email viewed by ProPublica.

Elizabeth Bisbee
@bisbee4148.bsky.social

Thank you. You have my eternal support & donations in perpetuity for your fearlessness in time of cowards, grovelers, cynics & collaborators. This woman deserves to spend her (literally) golden years in quiet, concerned contemplation of how cheaply she sold her soul & this nation into fascism.

ProPublica
@propublica.org

5/ Kao wants assurance Collins would know he was behind it, and according to Kao, Reed confirms that she would. Seven days after the super PAC cashes the check, one of Reed’s subordinates emails a Navatek lobbyist: “Senator Collins would like to call Martin to thank him.”

PClark Baja
@phred369.bsky.social

No more fking corruption from our elected officials What other honest companies were bidding for the government contracts and denied because of bribing our elected “representative” Taking bribes is a felony… get the corruption out and hold people accountable People in the company are in jail….

Elizabeth Bisbee
@bisbee4148.bsky.social

The didn’t even, in their haste propping us this shell company, spell scientists rights. The people selling us out do so in sloppy, capricious haste, too flush with greed to bother with even trying to make it look legit. I hate them.

ProPublica
@propublica.org

7/ But then, Kao got caught. The FBI had seen through his shell company ruse, and in 2022 a grand jury indicted him for making illegal campaign contributions. No one working for Collins was charged.