BREAKING NEWS: DOJ Issues New Subpoenas in Alaska Senate Election Fraud Probe!
FEDERAL INVESTIGATION ESCALATES
The Justice Department has begun issuing a new wave of subpoenas targeting Democrat officials believed to be connected to efforts to recruit a candidate with nearly the same name as Republican Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter who spoke to ABC News.
Prosecutors are investigating whether behind-the-scenes efforts to place retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot could violate federal conspiracy statutes. The subpoenas represent a significant escalation just days before the midterm elections.
PELTOLA CAMPAIGN AND NATIONAL DEMOCRATS UNDER SCRUTINY
The developments follow a New York Times report alleging that members of Mary Peltola’s campaign, lawyers working for Peltola, and senior aides at the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee sought a spoiler candidate who could draw votes away from incumbent Dan S. Sullivan.
The newspaper said its reporting relied on 12 sources, text messages and documents detailing the alleged recruitment effort.
Peltola’s campaign committee, Alaskans for Mary, denied involvement. A spokesperson said it “has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.” The DSCC separately told ABC News it was “not involved with Dan J. Sullivan.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL SIGNALS FURTHER ACTION
Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the alleged recruitment effort as “cheating” and “fraud” during a Wednesday interview with Fox News.
Blanche also indicated that additional Justice Department action could follow as investigators gather more information. Those characterizations remain allegations; the supplied reporting does not establish that a crime occurred.
ALASKA GOVERNOR ORDERS STATE INVESTIGATION
Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has directed Alaska’s Department of Public Safety to investigate whether the recruitment effort violated state law and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted.
Dunleavy said the reporting presented new evidence of an organized effort to confuse voters and misdirect their votes. He said the evidence would determine the next steps and that anyone found to have broken the law must be held accountable.
According to Dunleavy, Alaska’s Division of Elections investigated similar concerns in June, and the new reporting substantially supported its findings.
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SEPARATE LAWSUIT COULD AFFECT CERTIFICATION
The Trump administration also filed a separate civil lawsuit last week seeking to prevent Alaska from certifying the Senate election results if Sen. Sullivan narrowly loses. A federal judge is expected to rule in the coming days.
Alaska’s Supreme Court previously upheld Dan J. Sullivan’s eligibility to run, even if his candidacy was not entirely in good faith or sought to confuse voters. Federal prosecutors are separately examining the conduct surrounding his recruitment.
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ELECTION TIMING DRAWS SCRUTINY
The subpoenas follow President Trump’s public demands that Peltola face prosecution.
The Justice Department has traditionally avoided overt investigative steps in politically sensitive cases within 60 days of an election. Blanche downplayed the relevance of that practice in comments to reporters last week.
The federal and state investigations remain ongoing, with the legality of the alleged recruitment effort still unresolved.
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