Feds investigating alleged illegal donations to Collins’ re-election bid
by Lachlan Markay, Axios, May 18, 2021 (excerpts)
… A recently unsealed search warrant application shows the FBI believes a Hawaii defense contractor illegally funneled $150,000 to a pro-Collins super PAC and reimbursed donations to Collins' campaign….
- Collins helped the contractor at issue, then called Navatek and since renamed the Martin Defense Group, secure an $8 million Navy contract before most of the donations took place.
- Former Navatek CEO Martin Kao was indicted last year for allegedly bilking the federal government of millions in coronavirus relief loans.
… Federal prosecutors say Kao used a shell company to funnel $150,000 in Navatek funds to a pro-Collins super PAC called 1820 PAC.
- According to the FBI, Kao and his wife set up a sham LLC called the Society for Young Women Scientists and Engineers. Navatek then wrote the LLC a $150,000 check, investigators say, which was passed on to the super PAC….
Investigators say bank records also show that Kao illegally reimbursed family members who donated to Collins' campaign and that Navatek reimbursed some of Kao's colleagues for their contributions….
- The warrant application quotes an email exchange between Kao, who had just maxed out to Collins' campaign, and the senator's Maine finance director: "If you have friends or family members that would be willing to donate please don’t hesitate to send them my way," the Collins staffer wrote….
read … Full Report
Oct, 2020: Navatek CEO Arrested for CARES Act Fraud--Got Help from 'Senator'
PDF: Navatek search warrant (Details how Navatek’s $150K got to Collins PAC, lots of names of Navatek insiders)
TH: VIDEO REPORT
DCL: FBI Investigating Contributions To Susan Collins Campaign
CB: Martin Kao already faces criminal charges for defrauding a coronavirus relief aid program of millions of dollars.
FOX: Martin Kao illegally directed $150,000 in corporate funds to a super PAC supporting Collins’ 2020 reelection campaign, investigators allege
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