Maine Sen.Susan Collins, a Republican, is addressing claims that she was caught up in an FBI bribery investigation by 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 that 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 PATIENTSU.S.
Sen.Susan Collins (R-ME) walks through the Capitol on January 26, 2026 in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)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 reelection 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 CANDIDATESSen.
Susan Collins, R-Maine, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, on July 24, 2025.(J.
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