DOJ Ramps Up Alaska Senate Probe: More Than 100 Subpoenas, at Least 20 Target Letters

The US Justice Department has in recent days continued moving at an aggressive clip in ramping up its criminal investigation into the Alaska US Senate race. Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that prosecutors are in the process of issuing more than 100 subpoenas and at least twenty letters alerting individuals that they are targets of the probe.

The investigation began accelerating last week after The New York Times detailed alleged efforts by Democrats and some in Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, to be on the ballot with incumbent Republican Dan S. Sullivan.

The target letters are being issued to Democrats whom investigators believe were involved in the recruitment effort, sources said, describing it as an unusual step at such an early juncture in an investigation.

Among the recipients, sources said, is Marc Elias, an attorney frequently attacked by Republicans over his extensive involvement in election-related litigation on behalf of Democrats.

In a statement, Elias said no one should be surprised that President Trump’s Department of Justice is targeting him and his law firm on Election Day. He said the administration has repeatedly weaponised the DOJ against the president’s political enemies despite zero evidence of wrongdoing, and that they are the latest targets, adding that they will not be intimidated by a sham investigation.

A target letter is typically used by the Justice Department to alert an individual that they are a target of a federal grand jury investigation. It does not mean the individual will ultimately face federal charges.

According to the sources, the letters indicate that a grand jury empanelled in Alaska is probing possible conspiracy and donor fraud related offences.

A DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.