More than 100 subpoenas as justice department sent target letters in Alaska Senate criminal probe: here’s what it means

Letters mark an escalation

The Justice Department has sent letters informing Elias and others that they are targets of the criminal inquiry, according to people briefed on the investigation. They spoke anonymously because the probe is ongoing.

The investigation has produced more than 100 subpoenas, one person briefed on the probe said. FBI agents also visited donors to Dan J. Sullivan at their homes over the weekend.

Race draws federal scrutiny

The Alaska race features two-term Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. Retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan is also on the ballot. The Trump administration is investigating whether Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy was intended to confuse voters and divert votes from the incumbent. The inquiry had been unfolding quietly for months and drew renewed attention after a New York Times report said Peltola’s campaign appeared involved in recruiting him.

Peltola has said she knew nothing about an effort to put Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot. Democrats, including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, have denied involvement, and Dan J. Sullivan has denied running at Democrats’ request.

Officials avoid conclusions

Alaska U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman said the new revelations prompted a “significant surge of law enforcement assets to Alaska.” He declined to identify the specific crimes under investigation.

Heyman said he was making no assumptions about whether a crime had occurred and described the inquiry as thorough. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department was acting because, in his view, the candidate did not want to run and was seeking to confuse Alaskan voters.

Blanche declined to comment on the target letters, citing the ongoing investigation. Recruiting spoiler candidates has been used by both major parties for decades without drawing criminal scrutiny, the report noted.

Elias cites political history

Elias has represented Democratic presidential campaigns and the party in election-related disputes. He was general counsel for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has been a target of President Donald Trump’s criticism.

Elias and his then-law firm paid for political research about Trump that led to the Steele dossier, which included unverified rumors and discredited information. Trump later announced sanctions against Perkins Coie, including revoking attorneys’ security clearances, but a court challenge blocked the punishment.

Elias said the administration was targeting him and his law firm despite, he said, no evidence of wrongdoing. He did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.