3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 30
Summary
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman publicly confirmed Friday that federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into alleged efforts to place Dan J. Sullivan in Alaska’s Senate race to confuse voters with incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.
Text messages cited this week by the New York Times appeared to show staffers for Democratic nominee Mary Peltola discussing the tactic to siphon votes, giving the probe fresh urgency days before the election.
Peltola has denied knowing about any scheme, and Dan J. Sullivan says his candidacy is legitimate, while Heyman declined to identify targets, investigative steps or possible charges.
The Justice Department already sued to block certification if Sen. Sullivan loses by fewer votes than the similarly named candidate receives, and Democrats say both the civil case and criminal probe are election interference.