Who is Martin Kao?
According to his LinkedIn profile, Kao was designated as the President, CEO, and CFO of Navatek LLC started in 2012. The firm changed its name to Martin Defense Group shortly prior to his arrest. He stepped down from his position later.
In September 2020, Kao was charged in a separate case of defrauding banks of $12.8 million in COVID-relief funds aimed at small businesses. It was alleged that Kao had transferred over $2 million from the funds into his personal accounts, while his company executive admitted that the firm was unaffected by the pandemic. In a court hearing on May 12, 2020, Kao denied the charges and pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering and bank fraud. His trial on the charges is scheduled for July 2021. Now, Kao is facing additional charges of unlawfully funneling thousands of dollars to Collins campaign.
FBI investigating possible illegal campaign donations to Sen. Susan Collins
Updated May 18, 2021;
Posted May 18, 2021
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaking after meeting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss a coronavirus relief package, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP
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By David Yaffe-Bellany Bloomberg News (TNS) and Tribune Media Services
The FBI has been reviewing a possible scheme to funnel illegal donations to the 2020 reelection campaign of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, recently unsealed court records in Washington, D.C., show.
The FBI is investigating whether Martin Kao, the former chief executive officer for Hawaii-based contractor Martin Defense Group, illegally donated money to the senator’s campaign, according to a search warrant application filed in federal court in April. The contractor has offices in Maine, as well
Updated May 18
FBI probes campaign donations to Susan Collins
A spokeswoman for the US Senator’s campaign says Collins had absolutely no knowledge of anything alleged in the warrant.
By David Yaffe-BellanyBloomberg News
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WASHINGTON The FBI has been reviewing a possible scheme to funnel illegal donations to the 2020 reelection campaign of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, recently unsealed court records in Washington, D.C., show.
The FBI is investigating whether Martin Kao, the former chief executive officer for Hawaii-based contractor Martin Defense Group, illegally donated money to the senator’s campaign, according to a search warrant application filed in federal court in April. The contractor has offices in Maine, as well as other locations.