A report published by ProPublica indicates that the FBI conducted an investigation into whether the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Representative James Clyburn (D-S.C.) were involved in a bribery scheme. The investigation focused on the activities of Navatek, a Hawaiian naval defense contractor, and its efforts to secure federal contracts within South Carolina.

According to the report, federal investigators examined meetings between Senator Graham and two executives from the company. The inquiry sought to determine if there was any improper influence or financial misconduct related to the awarding of government contracts. Representative Clyburn was also named in the context of the investigation, though the report details varying levels of scrutiny regarding the specific interactions between the lawmakers and the contractor.

While the investigation into the potential bribery scheme was active, it is important to note that no formal charges were brought against either lawmaker as a result of this specific inquiry. The report highlights the intersection of political influence and federal contracting processes, raising questions about the oversight of defense spending. The Hill notes that the investigation was part of a broader look into how Navatek expanded its operations into South Carolina, a move that involved significant federal funding. The details provided in the ProPublica report suggest that federal authorities were concerned about the nature of the relationships between the contractor's leadership and the high-ranking officials involved in the state's defense sector.