FBI, DOJ discuss criminal probe, surge resources to Alaska in ‘Decoy Dan’ investigation

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Oct. 30, 2026 – Federal authorities publicly confirmed Friday that a criminal investigation is underway into allegations surrounding the recruitment of Daniel J. Sullivan, known as Decoy Dan, as a candidate in Alaska’s US Senate race, announcing a surge of law enforcement resources.

At an Oct. 30 press conference bringing together the US Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the Alaska State Troopers, US Attorney Michael J. Heyman said investigators around the country were actively pursuing the matter.

“This new information has resulted in a significant surge of law enforcement assets to Alaska,” Heyman said, adding that he had assigned several attorneys in his office to assist.

The announcement marked a major public development in the controversy over Decoy Dan, whose legal name closely resembles that of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and who originally filed for office using the middle initial “S.”

Heyman cited New York Times reporting alleging that the Mary Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee orchestrated an effort to recruit and support Daniel J. Sullivan as a sham candidate. He said authorities were taking those allegations extremely seriously.

“Anyone who tries to illegally deceive voters and interfere with the election will answer for it,” he said.

Joining Heyman were FBI Anchorage Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel and Col. Mo Hughes of the Alaska State Troopers.

Heyman said investigative work had been underway for several months, with First Assistant US Attorney Tom Bradley leading the effort from the Alaska office. The Times report provided additional information that accelerated that work, he said.

“As we speak, law enforcement around the country are taking investigative steps with respect to a criminal investigation on these matters,” Heyman said.

He declined to identify investigative targets, disclose specific steps or name the criminal statutes authorities were examining. No criminal charges were announced at the press conference.

Pressed by reporters about what crime was being alleged, Heyman said investigators were examining whether a crime had occurred under several theories.

“I’m not making any assumptions on whether a crime has been committed or not,” he said. “That’s why we are conducting that thorough investigation.”

Heyman also disclosed that the Justice Department had rescinded his earlier recusal the previous day, allowing him to take the lead locally.

He explained that the recusal arose while he was being considered for a judicial nomination. The White House subsequently nominated someone else, changing the circumstances underlying the recusal. Heyman emphasized that the department reviewed and rescinded it through an internal process.

Asked whether he had discussed the civil or criminal matters with the White House, Heyman said he had not. He said he was unaware of anyone else in his office having done so.

A significant portion of the press conference concerned the distinction between the criminal investigation and the Justice Department’s separate civil lawsuit.

Heyman described them as parallel proceedings, each following its own investigative path and subject to rules governing the handling of information.

He characterized the civil action as an effort to preserve ballots so authorities could determine whether voters were misled and whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan could have affected the outcome.

“The department is not asking … the court to declare a winner or loser or change the votes in any way,” he said.

Heyman said the department had amended its civil complaint to add a Supremacy Clause allegation. He also announced plans to file a motion for a preliminary injunction and seek expedited discovery by Monday, Nov. 2.

Reporters challenged both the legal basis of the civil lawsuit and the timing of the announcement so close to Election Day. Heyman declined to argue the civil case from the podium, saying the issues would be addressed in filings before US District Judge Sharon Gleason.

On timing, he said the investigation had proceeded quietly for months, but new allegations bearing on election integrity required attention even days before voting concluded.

Schlegel said the FBI would “continue to quickly and aggressively follow the facts wherever they lead.”

Both officials urged people with relevant information to contact investigators. Heyman said authorities had received several new pieces of information within the previous 24 hours and were following up.

Tips can be submitted at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

“Every Alaskan deserves a fair election,” Heyman said, “and they’re going to get one.”

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