Marc Elias, a longtime Democratic attorney and vocal opponent of the Trump administration, is a target in the Justice Department's criminal investigation into whether Democrats sought to confuse voters in Alaska by recruiting a as Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, according to a law enforcement official and a second source familiar with the matter.
Elias is just one of a number of individuals who received either target letters, preservation letters or from the Justice Department in connection with the investigation, which is being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alaska and also involves prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division's criminal section, multiple sources said.
Approximately 20 target and preservation letters have been issued to date in the probe. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, meanwhile, has separately received a grand jury subpoena, a law enforcement source told CBS News.
CBS News has reached out to the DSCC for comment.
President Trump in recent days has made public statements denouncing Elias on social media and calling for his prosecution.
No one should be surprised that President Trump's Department is targeting me and my law firm on Election Day, Elias said in a statement to CBS News.
This administration has repeatedly weaponized the DOJ against the President's political enemies despite zero evidence of wrongdoing, and we are the latest targets.
He added that his firm, Elias Law Group, proudly counts itself among Mr. Trump's political enemies and said they are proud to represent Democratic campaigns and progressive groups that fight back against his administration.
We will not be intimidated by a sham investigation, he said. We are going to keep working around the clock to support our clients and make sure President Trump and his party enjoy a well-deserved beating at the ballot box.
Federal prosecutors have not articulated what crimes they are investigating.
