Journalist @propublica | say hello/send tips on signal: aaschapiro.20 | email: [email protected]
Washington, DC
Joined March 2013
- Tweets898
- Following8.2K
- Followers21.5K
- Likes24.2K
Pinned Tweet
NEW:
Lindsey Graham & Jim Clyburn were under FBI investigation, as part of a potentially explosive corruption probe in S Carolina.
Then Trump purged the anti-corruption teams at DOJ & the case died.
My latest w/@WilliamTurton @mtredden @kirstenberg
propublica.org/article/navat…
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
NEW:
Lindsey Graham & Jim Clyburn were under FBI investigation, as part of a potentially explosive corruption probe in S Carolina.
Then Trump purged the anti-corruption teams at DOJ & the case died.
My latest w/@WilliamTurton @mtredden @kirstenberg
propublica.org/article/navat…
A DoD spokesperson responded to questions about new Chinese spy program with a malapropism.
washingtonpost.com/national-…
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
One of Navatek’s executives told ProPublica that even he was surprised by how far the defense contractor’s money went in D.C.
It left him with a distinct impression: “It’s all for sale,” he said.
Listen to our podcast episode: propub.li/4k98PqU
ALT “It’s all for sale.” - Eric Schiff, former Navatek executive, on how far the defense contractor’s money went in Washington, D.C.
In case you missed it: yesterday we revealed that Lindsey Graham & James Clyburn were under FBI investigation in a sweeping bribery probe.
That was until Trump dismantled the anti-corruption teams at DOJ. And the case vanished.
propublica.org/article/navat…
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
NEW: Trump’s mega Venezuelan oil deal, signed by Hegseth and Rubio, benefits an unknown group of investors and was intentionally crafted to keep the next U.S. president or future leaders of Venezuela from undoing it. @propublica saw the secret contract: propublica.org/article/trump…
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
The FBI was set to probe whether Democrat Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Joe Wilson and late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham were involved in a bribery pay-for-play scheme connected to Navatek, according to an explosive report from ProPublica released Tuesday. Read more: bit.ly/3UEd8jF
Good to see @ABCNews4 in Charleston pickup our new investigation, which reveals the existence an FBI probe into members of the South Carolina delegation.
The FBI was set to probe whether Democrat Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Joe Wilson and late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham were involved in a bribery pay-for-play scheme connected to Navatek, according to an explosive report from ProPublica released Tuesday. Read more: bit.ly/3UEd8jF
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
In 2020, Lindsey Graham had a secret dinner with executives at the defense firm Navatek.
Graham agreed to steer a $10 million contract their way, and in exchange, the firm’s CEO pledged thousands for Graham’s campaign coffers, he later told the FBI.
propublica.org/article/navat…
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
The naysayers to the epic Susan Collins story: this is a partisan hit job
ProPublica: Hold our bipartisan bribery beer
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
The FBI was poised to investigate the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. James Clyburn before President Trump took office and barred the DOJ’s anti-corruption section from pursuing new cases.
washingtonsun.com/legal/fbi-…
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
“Under President Trump, the Justice Department is rooting out the weaponization, corruption, and institutional rot that ran rampant under Joe Biden’s two-tiered system of justice,” DOJ spokesperson Audrey Cook said.
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
Kao’s claims are “half baked” & “misleading,” FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said. “Personnel are only removed at this FBI if they have been found to have acted unethically, undermined the mission, or engaged in weaponization of law enforcement.”
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
Wilson’s office did not address a detailed list of questions sent by ProPublica.
“Congressman Wilson does and has always abided by campaign donation regulations set forth by the Federal Election Commission,” a spokesperson said.
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
“Whatever a donor may think or say, a donation would never cause Congressman Clyburn to increase his support for the donor’s request,” Clyburn’s communications director wrote.
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
Lindsey Graham’s communications director wrote that “any allegations of quid-pro-quo behavior or wrongdoing by the late Senator Lindsey Graham or his staff are simply false.”
She said that the office was never contacted by the FBI and that they disgorged Kao’s donations.
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
Before the case could take off, the investigating agents were forced out of the FBI, as Trump purged his perceived enemies at the DOJ.
The case is now dead.
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
Just before Trump came back to office, agents were asking Kao to help them get more evidence to back up his claims.
He handed them a nearly 50-page confession, naming dozens of lobbyists, congressional staffers & members of Congress.
Avi Asher-Schapiro retweeted
Even so, the FBI spent two days debriefing Kao & they were in the early phases of corroborating elements of his story.
It lined up with donation records, internal company documents & the public action the lawmakers took to help Kao.