Susan Collins Denounces Report Alleging FBI Corruption Probe

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins has forcefully denied a ProPublica report alleging the FBI targeted her in a corruption probe, describing the claims as "absolutely outrageous" and "clearly a political hit job."

The report states that a Republican consultant allegedly solicited large donations from the defense firm Navatek and its former CEO, Martin Kao, in exchange for millions in federal contracts. According to ProPublica, the FBI sought to initiate an investigation into Collins and the donor in 2024, but the probe reportedly ceased after political shifts.

Collins asserted that the Biden Justice Department concluded there was no wrongdoing by her or her campaign staff. "This is absolutely outrageous. It's clearly a political hit job," Collins said Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

Annie Clark, Collins' deputy chief of staff, stated that the Biden administration, FBI, and Department of Justice had "thoroughly investigated the Navatek matter." Clark added that the Collins campaign fully cooperated with the FBI, providing requested documents and serving as witnesses. She noted these issues were resolved in 2021 and the FBI has not contacted them since.

An FBI spokesperson, Ben Williamson, informed ProPublica that the agency had investigated the claims years prior and found nothing implicating Senator Collins or her campaign, calling any suggestion otherwise "totally false." Williamson did not comment to ProPublica regarding the alleged separate 2024 investigation.

Collins, who is currently running for re-election in a closely contested Maine Senate race, expressed frustration that these allegations have surfaced close to the election. She maintained that Navatek was awarded defense contracts due to the Navy finding its 3D printing research for boats to be valuable.

Clark also characterized the allegations as "categorically false," stating that the seven-year-old claims against Collins and her staff are untrue and that the campaign was never the target of an FBI investigation.

Collins' campaign manager, Steve Abbott, echoed these sentiments, calling the report's allegations false and outrageous.

Collins' opponent in the Maine Senate race, Democratic candidate Troy Jackson, responded to the report, stating, "This is corruption of the highest order."

Former President Donald Trump has not yet commented on the ProPublica report. ABC News has reached out to Navatek for comment. Martin Kao did not speak with ProPublica for its story.