A group of Maine veterans has asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate Sen. Susan Collins, her campaign, 1820 PAC and convicted contractor Martin Kao, WABI reports.
Complainant Jason Tkacs and fellow veterans allege Kao donated to Collins and an allied super PAC in connection with Navy research funding secured through appropriations. They also claim Kao told law enforcement that the project was never requested by the Navy or put to use.
The complaint further argues Collins’ campaign should have sent the related money to the U.S. Treasury under campaign finance rules. The campaign has said it gave the funds to help rebuild a Frenchville school after a fire. Organizers say the issue arose in three recent Senate debates.
Melinda Swayne, a Navy veteran from Bryant Pond, said at a Bangor press conference that the defense budget exists to protect people who serve. “Maine Veterans deserve a senator who will fight for them,” Swayne said.
Collins has broadly denied the allegations. In response to the latest development, her campaign called the complainants backers of her opponent Troy Jackson, and said the school donation was lawful. It said the FEC cleared Collins and her staff nearly five years ago.
The campaign also cited former FEC Commissioner Sean Cooksey, who served when the agency investigated Kao’s company, Navatek, in 2021. He said the commission found no evidence 1820 PAC or Collins’ campaign acted improperly, took no action on or dismissed the allegations against the PAC, and pursued penalties against the company. He called any claim otherwise “hackery.”