From Salon · Molly Redden · · 1m 50s
How Trump’s FBI purge saved Lindsey Graham and James Clyburn from a bribery investigation
Trump’s FBI purge blocked bribery case against South Carolina lawmakers.
In brief
Trump’s FBI purge blocked bribery case against South Carolina lawmakers. Trump’s administration ended FBI’s corruption probe into bribery scheme involving South Carolina lawmakers and a defense contractor. Originally reported by Salon.
Navatek’s campaign cash deal
Navatek’s CEO Martin Kao met Sen. Lindsey Graham for $40,000 in campaign contributions.
“Shoot all he has to really do is stop by and say 'yes'”
Graham’s $10 million contract
Graham agreed to steer a $10 million government contract for Navatek in exchange for $100,000.
“This is how much I want, and how much I am going to give you”
FBI investigation launched
FBI opened bribery investigation in early 2025 after Kao confessed to bribing lawmakers.
“Kao told agents that his business model consisted of bribing public officials”
Kao’s bribery network
Kao targeted South Carolina lawmakers including Rep. James Clyburn and Rep. Joe Wilson.
“Kao told agents that Graham in particular left little room for ambiguity”
FBI’s corruption probe
FBI agents named two Navatek executives as subjects of bribery investigation.
“The FBI took the formal step of naming two former Navatek executives”
Trump’s FBI purge
Trump gutted FBI’s anti-corruption teams, removing two experienced agents from the case.
“President Donald Trump returned to the White House and almost immediately gutted the specialized FBI”
Case abandoned
No one remains to prosecute Kao’s bribery claims after Trump’s purge of anti-corruption teams.
“Today, there is no one left to look into Kao’s explosive allegations”
Kao’s prison sentence
Kao served 87 months in prison for illegal campaign donations and loan fraud.
“Kao pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign donations and a loan fraud scheme in 2022”
Graham’s successor
Graham’s sister Darline Graham retained his staff and committee assignments.
“Darline Graham is running for a full term in office this November”
Clyburn’s influence
Clyburn remains influential on national defense spending through Armed Services Committee.
“Clyburn is one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington”
Wilson’s role
Wilson remains influential on national defense spending from Armed Services Committee.
“Wilson remains influential on national defense spending from his senior perch”
Navatek’s new company
Hartman and Knight founded Integer Technologies after Kao’s arrest.
“Hartman and Knight started a new naval research company called Integer Technologies”
Integer’s growth
Integer reported $81 million in contracts and projected $375 million by 2030.
“Last year, it reported $81 million in contracts and announced that number would climb to $375 million by 2030”
Kao’s prison reflection
Kao called the scheme 'corruption at its best' while serving prison time.
“[It’s] corruption at its best. But I am the only one rotting in prison”
FBI’s abandoned case
FBI agents stopped investigating after Trump’s purge of anti-corruption teams.
“The corruption investigation, just launched, suddenly went dark”
Trump’s DOJ purge
Trump’s administration removed DOJ’s anti-corruption section from handling cases.
“The president’s handpicked leaders ordered prosecutors to drop a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams”
The big picture
Trump’s administration ended FBI’s corruption probe into bribery scheme involving South Carolina lawmakers and a defense contractor.
