@propublica In March 2020, Martin Kao, CEO of the defense contractor Navatek, met Sen. Lindsey Graham for a private steak dinner in Washington, D.C. This dinner would end up becoming the center of a sweeping FBI investigation into bribery in early 2025.
The scheme involved some of the most powerful figures in Congress, Kao confessed before going to prison. In South Carolina, that included not only Graham, but also the state’s top Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn, and another influential Republican, Rep. Joe Wilson.
Head to the link in our bio to read the full story.
News report breaks down corruptionfrom @propublica
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Overview
A reporter breaks down a confession from a convicted felon, Martin Kao, who detailed a bribery scheme involving campaign donations in exchange for government contracts with powerful members of Congress, including Lindsey Graham, Jim Clyburn, and Joe Wilson. The video explains the specifics of a deal with Graham, how the investigation was allegedly quashed due to a political purge at the FBI, and concludes by directing viewers to the full report.
Earlier this year, we uncovered a stunning confession.
Visual hook
A shot of Senator Lindsey Graham surrounded by a dense crowd of reporters and cameras, creating an immediate sense of high-stakes political news and media attention.
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Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
Tease a shocking, secret revelation from a credible inside source to establish immediate intrigue and high stakes.
Payoff
Direct the audience to a primary source (an article, a full report) for a deeper dive into the investigation, positioning the video as a compelling entry point to a larger story.
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Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Investigative Reveal
To present a complex investigative story as a simple, high-stakes narrative, starting with a secret confession, detailing the crime, revealing a cover-up, and ending with a call to action for more information.
1
The Accusation & The Players
Introduce the central figure (the source) and the general nature of the wrongdoing they confessed to, naming the primary target of the accusation.
2
The Cinematic Scene
Ground the abstract accusation in a single, vivid, and memorable event. Describe the scene with cinematic detail to make the wrongdoing feel tangible and real.
3
The Quid Pro Quo
Explicitly state the illegal or unethical exchange at the heart of the story. Clearly define what was given and what was received in return.
4
The Payoff Proof
Provide concrete evidence that the illicit exchange was successful and the promised outcome was delivered, validating the source's claims.
5
The Conspiracy Widens
Escalate the stakes by revealing that the initial incident was not isolated, implicating other powerful individuals or institutions in similar wrongdoing.
6
The Source Credibility Boost
Reinforce the source's reliability by explaining their motivation for confessing and why they have nothing to lose by telling the truth.
7
The Political Obstruction
Introduce a major narrative twist by revealing that an official investigation was thwarted by a powerful external force, explaining why the story has remained secret.
8
The Lingering Legacy
Connect the past events to the present day by showing how the people, systems, or consequences of the scandal persist, demonstrating its ongoing relevance.
Themes
Political corruption
Abuse of power
Quid pro quo
Investigative journalism
Techniques
Narrative storytelling
Use of primary sources (confession)
Archival footage integration
Post caption
In March 2020, Martin Kao, CEO of the defense contractor Navatek, met Sen. Lindsey Graham for a private steak dinner in Washington, D.C. This dinner would end up becoming the center of a sweeping FBI investigation into bribery in early 2025.
The scheme involved some of the most powerful figures in Congress, Kao confessed before going to prison. In South Carolina, that included not only Graham, but also the state’s top Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn, and another influential Republican, Rep. Joe Wilson.
Head to the link in our bio to read the full story.
Text overlays
contextual · beginning
Earlier this year,
contextual · beginning
we uncovered a stunning confession.
contextual · beginning
Martin Kao
Former CEO, Navatek
contextual · beginning
William Turton
Reporter,
contextual · beginning
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
contextual · middle
Sen. Lindsey Graham
R-S.C.
branding · middle
NAVATEK
informational · middle
$10,000,000
informational · middle
$100,000
contextual · middle
Craig Abele
Lindsey Graham's national security adviser
informational · end
PROPUBLICA
How Trump's FBI Purge Saved Lindsey Graham and James Clyburn From a Bribery Investigation
informational · end
Sen. Lindsey Graham's team said that "any allegations of quid-pro-quo behavior or wrongdoing by the late Senator Lindsey Graham or his staff are simply false." A spokesperson added that the office was never contacted by the FBI about the matter and that the team disgorged Martin Kao's donations after his arrest.
Transcript
Earlier this year, we uncovered a stunning confession. The former CEO of a defense contractor, Martin Cowell, told the FBI about how he bribed members of Congress in exchange for government contracts. One of the things that he told them about was a steak dinner with Lindsey Graham. The scene that Cow gave the FBI was straight out of a movie. Cow said that he walked into the dinner with an envelope containing checks that were contributions to Graham's campaign. He gave the checks to someone he identified as Graham's money rank and only after he handed over this envelope, Graham entered the private dining room. Cal was asking Graham to use his powerful position on the Appropriations Committee I hate to talk about Appropriations in Appropriations Committee, but I will. In order to steer contracts to Nav Attack, the defense contractor that he owned. According to Cal, Graham offered a $10,000,000 contract in exchange for a $100,000 in campaign contributions. A few days after the dinner, a senior official in Graham's office, a man named Craig Abelay, spoke with the Navy and made sure that Navatech got a government contract in partnership with the University of South Carolina. Cal said that he struck similar deals with both Jim Clyburn and Joe Wilson. Clyburn, a democrat, is arguably one of the most powerful democrats in the country. Joe Wilson holds a powerful position on the Armed Services Committee, which is helpful in getting military contracts. Martin Cow is a convicted felon. He was facing decades in prison rank kind of had every incentive to give the FBI everything. Two FBI agents were seriously investigating the claims that Cow made against Graham and other lawmakers. That investigation went away after the agents were pushed out of the FBI as part of Trump's political purge of the agency. Lindsey Graham died earlier this year in July. Lindsey Graham's sister Darlene was appointed to his seat in the senate and is running for a full six year term this year. Darlene kept many of her brother's staff, including Craig Avilay, who interfaced with Navitech. You can read our full investigation into powerful lawmakers in South Carolina on propublica.org.
