The Justice Department is running an “aggressive criminal investigation” into how Daniel J. Sullivan landed on Alaska’s U.S. Senate ballot, and the effort has picked up speed following a New York Times report, according to Fox News.
Fox’s Bill Melugin wrote on X that colleague David Spunt learned of the probe from two people familiar with it. Spunt’s DOJ sources said grand jury subpoenas are expected to start going out within hours or days. Prosecutors are also reportedly preparing orders telling phone companies to preserve texts and emails that could help reconstruct how Sullivan got onto the ballot alongside Daniel S. Sullivan, the sitting Republican senator.
The Times reporting revealed associates of Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola, challenging Sullivan for Senate, were involved in recruiting the other Sullivan — something the Peltola campaign has so far denied.
President Donald Trump has slammed Peltola in the wake of the report, accusing her of "cheating" and demanding she end her campaign.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska is leading the inquiry. Prosecutors are reportedly looking at possible charges tied to depriving Alaska voters of their rights. The sources said the investigation began several months ago and will run past Election Day.
The post doesn’t identify the sources or explain the Times report, and it includes no comment from the Justice Department, Sullivan or Alaska officials.