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Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building at 26 Federal Plaza in the Civic Center, Manhattan, New York City is a forty-plus story structure which houses many federal government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation New York City field office. The fede
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FBI Closed 2025 Inquiry Into Susan Collins Donor And Adviser

Written by TNNBot on

The FBI closed a 2025 inquiry into whether a political adviser to Sen. Susan Collins helped funnel illegal campaign donations from defense contractor Navatek.[1]

The probe began after Navatek CEO Martin Kao told investigators he had discussed skirting campaign finance laws with a Collins adviser; Kao was later sentenced to 87 months in prison on unrelated fraud charges.[1] Senior FBI officials in the Trump administration questioned Kao's credibility and closed the probe after agents found little corroborating evidence, though they said more might have emerged if the inquiry had continued.[1] Annie Clark, a Collins aide, called the accusations "categorically false" and said the campaign cooperated fully with the bureau.[1] News of the inquiry and its closure surfaced on September 22, 2026, during a close Senate race that could determine control of the chamber.[1]

Agents opened the inquiry in 2025 under the Biden administration after Kao's claims prompted a review of donations from Navatek to Collins' circles.[1]

  1. New York Times
Campaign Finance and Ethics Federal Law Enforcement Oversight
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📌 Key Facts

  • In 2025, the FBI closed an inquiry into whether a political adviser to Sen. Susan Collins helped funnel illegal campaign donations from defense contractor Navatek.
  • The investigation began under the Biden administration after Navatek CEO Martin Kao, later sentenced to 87 months in prison on unrelated fraud charges, claimed he had discussed skirting campaign finance laws with a Collins adviser.
  • Senior FBI officials in the Trump administration questioned Kao’s credibility and ended the probe after agents found little corroborating evidence, though they acknowledged more might have emerged if it had continued.
  • Collins aide Annie Clark publicly rejected the allegations as 'categorically false' and said the campaign cooperated fully with the FBI.
  • News of the inquiry and its closure emerged September 22, 2026, during a close Senate race that could determine chamber control.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

September 22, 2026
7:24 PM
F.B.I. Shut Down Inquiry Into Top Ally of Senator Susan Collins
Nytimes by Glenn Thrush, Alan Feuer and Devlin Barrett