Top DOJ attorney in Alaska calls Alaska Senate allegations "troubling"

Federal prosecutors in Alaska have stepped up their work on claims that an independent Senate candidate was recruited as a decoy, days before Tuesday's election. U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman called the allegations troubling and said they have brought a significant surge of law enforcement assets. He declined to name the crimes being examined, according to CBS News.

The candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, shares a name with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Republicans contend Democrats planted the candidate to muddle voters and help Mary Peltola. A New York Times story reported that operatives tied to Peltola's campaign helped recruit Sullivan, and Heyman said prosecutors are taking that extremely seriously. Peltola and national Democrats deny any role; the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee says Republicans have also tried to manipulate Alaska ballots. Heyman said the inquiry has run quietly for months.

State courts overruled officials who had tried to keep Sullivan off the ballot. Federal subpoenas have gone to several Democratic officials. The governor, Mike Dunleavy, has also launched a state inquiry. Separately, the Trump administration is suing over certification; Heyman said an injunction motion is due Monday.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at CBS News →