DOJ sends criminal target letters to people linked to Democrats in Alaska Senate probe
WASHINGTON, DC: The Justice Department sent target letters on Election Day to more than a dozen people it believes recruited a Senate candidate with the same name as Alaska’s Republican incumbent. Two sources familiar with the investigation told CNN about this move. By sending these letters, the department signals it’s preparing to file federal charges. Target letters usually let someone know they’re in legal trouble and might face charges soon.
Among the recipients is leadership from the Elias Law Group, which represents both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Mary Peltola’s campaign, the Democratic Senate nominee. Other outlets, like The Washington Post, report the department has sent out over 20 target and preservation letters overall. These letters also instruct recipients to preserve any relevant materials.
What is the probe about?
Republican Sen Dan S Sullivan is the incumbent, and Daniel J Sullivan is also on the ballot.
According to a New York Times report, Peltola’s campaign and senior DSCC aides tried to recruit another Dan Sullivan to draw votes away from the sitting senator. Federal investigators eysk up after the story broke.
At a news conference Friday, US Attorney Michael Heyman said the report gave them fresh leads. Since then, officials have handed out over 100 grand jury subpoenas and preservation letters, and investigators have started speaking with witnesses.
In a statement posted online, its chairman Marc Elias said, “No one should be surprised that President Trump’s Department of Justice is targeting me and my law firm on Election Day.
“We will not be intimidated by a sham investigation,” Elias said. “We are going to keep working around the clock to support our clients and make sure President Trump and his party enjoy a well-deserved beating at the ballot box.”
A witness account
The department has also issued more than 100 grand jury subpoenas and preservation letters, one law enforcement official said, and investigators have begun conducting witness interviews.
Among those interviewed is Matthew Salisbury, a one-time candidate for the US House of Representatives. Salisbury said an operative attempted to recruit him to run as a spoiler candidate against Sen Sullivan. Salisbury told CNN that he reached out to the bureau and was subsequently interviewed at the local field office.
Salisbury did not enter the race, telling CNN that "I just felt as if this was never intended to support me. It was intended to split the ticket, and I didn’t want to be a part of that because it just didn’t feel right. It felt unethical and it felt like it would be deceptive."
