By SUZANNE DOWNING
July 6, 2026 – The US Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the campaign of Alaska US Senate candidate Dan J. Sullivan, known as Decoy Dan, signaling an escalation in the controversy surrounding the candidate whose name closely matches that of incumbent Republican US Sen. Dan Sullivan. The investigation was first reported by NBC News and later confirmed by ABC News through a source familiar with the matter.
According to ABC News and NBC News, federal investigators are examining whether the candidacy of Decoy Dan was part of a broader effort to confuse Alaska voters by placing a candidate with nearly the identical name as the incumbent on the ballot. Investigators are reportedly exploring potential wire fraud and conspiracy allegations, including whether anyone sought to deprive Alaska voters of a free and fair election, which could constitute a federal civil rights violation.
NBC News reported that the investigation involves the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office for Alaska. To date, Decoy Dan has not filed anything with the Federal Elections Commission. The cost of his website and litigation easily surpasses the $5,000 threshold to require his filing with the FEC.
The investigation comes just days after the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that Decoy Dan of Petersburg, could remain on the Aug. 18 primary ballot, reversing an earlier determination by the Alaska Division of Elections that his candidacy was filed “with a purpose to confuse or mislead” voters.
The division’s director, Carol Beecher, had concluded after an administrative review that the challenger’s candidacy compromised the fairness and neutrality of the ballot. However, the courts determined the state had not met a legal standard necessary to remove him from the ballot before the election.
Under Alaska’s top-four jungle primary system, the four candidates receiving the most votes on Aug. 18 will advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation. That creates the possibility that both Dan S. Sullivan and Dan J. Sullivan could appear on the same ranked-choice general election ballot alongside Democrat candidate Mary Peltola and another candidate.
Republicans have argued for weeks that the similarly named candidacy was designed to siphon votes away from the incumbent senator. They have alleged that the effort would ultimately benefit Peltola’s campaign. Peltola’s campaign has denied any coordination.
“Our campaign has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign,” Peltola spokesman Harry Child told NBC News.
But the question is not so much about the campaign itself, but the super PACs associated with either Peltola or Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.
In an interview with the Associated Press before news of the investigation became public, Dan J. Sullivan denied having any contact or coordination with Peltola’s campaign, the Alaska Democratic Party, or national Democratic strategists.
The campaign for the Real Sen. Dan Sullivan declined to comment on the investigation. Decoy Dan’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment from either ABC News or NBC News. His hired professional, Amber Lee, has fled to Ireland with her partner, who has starred in Chuck Schumer super PAC commercials bashing Sen. Dan Sullivan.
The Alaska Department of Law likewise declined to confirm to NBC whether a criminal investigation is underway.
“The Department of Law generally will neither confirm nor deny the existence of a criminal investigation,” spokesman Sam Curtis said in a statement.
Conspiracy deepens over Decoy Dan’s, Democrat operatives’ campaign trickery: the Schumer connection
Federal prosecutors have not publicly identified any targets of the investigation, and it remains unclear whether anyone will ultimately face criminal charges. Authorities also have not indicated whether the investigation could affect ballot access before Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary. Early voting begins Aug. 3, and ballots have been printed and mailed to overseas voters, who are primarily military members.
The race is expected to be one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate contests this year. Democrats view Alaska as a potential pickup opportunity with Peltola atop the ticket, while Republicans are working to defend Sen. Sullivan’s seat and maintain control of the Senate.
4 thoughts on “FBI opens investigation into Decoy Dan wire fraud, civil rights conspiracy: NBC”
I would think that Scott Kendall might be involved in this, somehow. Or Vic Vickers?
Oh, and BTW, no evidence has been produced to indicate that Bill Walker is a pedophile. The only evidence suggests that he is just a pedophile enabler.
How does Assembly member and Lt. Governor selectee Zac Johnson feel about the travel habits of his colleague, George Martinez? Is Occupy Wall Street playing an active part in Jonathan Kreis-Tomkin’s campaign?
Oddly enough ev3n Scott Kendall has acknowledged this is a trick, he said “There is zero question that some number of voters — dozens, hundreds, or thousands — will attempt to vote for Sen. Sullivan and will fail because of this trick,” he went on to say. “And I think that’s tragic. I want every vote to count.”
How about public drunkenness,
and mental incapacitation?
So convenient that Amber Lee is out of country. It is obvious she is the link to Woman of Many Names and the Democrats. Very pleased to see that a criminal investigation is under way. It will be extremely interesting to see who shows up on the FEC reporting.
Decoy Dan is in way over his head. This legacy will follow him for the rest of his days in Alaska.