Feds probing suspicious letters to election officials, lawmakers
Federal investigators said they are looking into suspicious letters containing unknown substances that were mailed to state election officials and congressional offices.
Key points
- The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious letters containing unknown substances sent to state election officials and congressional offices nationwide.
- Sen. Chris Murphy's office was among those targeted, though his spokesman said the senator and staff were not in immediate danger.
- Election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma received packages with white powder this week, and tests in Louisiana found no harmful substances.
- The investigation comes less than three weeks before the midterm elections.
Federal investigators said Wednesday they are investigating suspicious letters mailed to state election officials and congressional offices, some containing unknown substances. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are handling the case, according to Brendan Donahue, deputy chief inspector at the Postal Inspection Service.
Donahue told reporters the letters were sent to addresses nationwide, including secretary of state offices and related election offices. He said any threat or attack on an election official is unacceptable and that investigators will bring all their resources to bear.
Congressional offices targeted
The Senate sergeant at arms issued a notice to congressional staff about the investigation, obtained by CBS News, saying congressional offices were among those that received the suspicious letters. A spokesman for Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said his office was one of those targeted.
Josh Sorbe, a spokesman for Murphy, said the office was promptly informed by the FBI, the Senate sergeant at arms and Capitol Police. He said that due to those efforts and various safety protocols, the senator and staff were not in immediate danger.
We are committed to protecting our nation's election officials from threatening and dangerous mail. Any threat or attack on an election official is unacceptable.
— Brendan Donahue
State election offices affected
Top election officials in at least two states reported receiving packages containing a white powder in recent days. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry said Tuesday that an employee opened a package and found a white powder; law enforcement tests found no harmful substances and no one was injured.
The Oklahoma State Election Board said it received an envelope with suspicious white powder Tuesday morning and its office was evacuated. Paul Ziriax, secretary of the election board, said no one was hurt and law enforcement is investigating.
