FBI probes letter sent to senator’s home

BANGOR, Maine — A hazardous materials team was dispatched to the home of Republican Sen. Susan Collins on Monday after her husband received a letter with a note saying the envelope contained ricin.

The FBI said preliminary tests on the letter and its contents indicated that there was no threat to the public, and the senator and her husband were allowed to stay in the home Monday night. It was unclear who sent the letter and why. But critics have threatened Collins and her staff over her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Today’s incident is the latest in a series of threats against Sen. Collins, her loved ones, and her staff,” said Annie Clark, the senator’s spokesman.

The senator’s husband, Thomas Daffron, was at home when the letter arrived on Monday, but Collins wasn’t there.

Police and fire vehicles were parked outside her home, and several people in hazmat suits were seen going inside. Yellow police tape was wrapped around the property’s perimeter. Collins issued a statement expressing her thankfulness for the professionalism of first responders and other agencies participating in the investigation.

“Our friends and neighbors have been incredibly kind and have even offered to open their homes to us. We feel blessed to live in such a supportive community,” she said.

The investigation into the letter, its contents and origin was continuing.

AP/The Bangor Daily News/GABOR DEGRE A member of a hazardous-materials team works Monday outside the Bangor, Maine, home of Sen. Susan Collins.