Washington Post: “Three people familiar with the matter confirmed to The Washington Post that the FBI last year closed an early-stage inquiry into allegations [against Collins]”
Augusta, ME – Susan Collins’s pay-to-play corruption scheme is roiling her reelection campaign as news continues to break about the scandal.
Read the latest:
Today, the Washington Post confirmed ProPublica’s report that the FBI was looking into allegations of corruption involving Susan Collins, and that the inquiry was shut down when Trump returned to office.
“Now, as Collins faces a tight reelection race against Democrat Troy Jackson, allegations involving a different defense contractor are putting her broader record of steering money to Maine under scrutiny […]
“[…] Three people familiar with the matter confirmed to The Washington Post that the FBI last year closed an early-stage inquiry into allegations that a defense contractor made concealed political contributions benefiting Collins in exchange for help securing federal contracts.” [Washington Post, 9/26/26]
On Wednesday, Collins’s campaign manager claimed the Navatek contracts “benefited the University of Maine” – even holding up pictures at a press conference of a boat launched last month that he claimed used Navatek tech. The University of Maine debunked that claim, saying the new boat has “no Navatek connection,” and that “UMaine has not worked with Navatek since 2021.”
The scandal is jeopardizing Collins reelection campaign in a cycle when “corruption is a sticky message” – and is “front of mind” for voters, including in Bath, where Collins has campaigned heavily. Even Maine Republican operatives say a story like this is “certainly not what you want” so close to an election.
Meanwhile, the news of the scandal is blanketing the airwaves in Maine – here’s a sample of what Mainers have seen on TV this week:
Tuesday
News Center Maine: Susan Collins’ campaign and staff respond to new questions about illegal campaign donor
WABI: Report claims Collins was target of FBI campaign finance probe
WGME: ProPublica report includes claims that Sen. Collins took bribes
WMTW: Sen. Susan Collins’ staff denies corruption allegations made in ProPublica report
Wednesday
NewsCenterMaine: Susan Collins’ campaign and staff respond to new questions about illegal campaign donor
NewsCenterMaine: Campaign and office of Senator Susan Collins spent Tuesday answering questions about ProPublica story
NewsCenterMaine: Maine Democrats criticize Sen. Susan Collins’ advocacy for a defense contractor once led by a past campaign donor, now a convicted felon
WABI: Sen. Collins responds to pay-to-play scheme allegations
WABI: Maine Dems hammer Collins over report of pay-to-play probe. GOP senator calls it ‘completely false’
WGME: Maine Dems demand answers from Sen. Collins after report claims 2020 campaign took bribes
Thursday
WGME: ‘Nothing wrong’: Sen. Collins’ campaign denies bribery claims in ProPublica report
WMTW: ‘A smear job’: Collins responds to ProPublica report about alleged corruption
Friday
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