Ex-Florida Sheriff Creates Deepfakes Targeting Harris for Russian Intelligence
A former Florida sheriff reportedly collaborated with Russian military intelligence to create deepfake videos and fake news websites targeting Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. election. According to European intelligence documents reviewed by the Washington Post, John Mark Dougan received funding from the GRU's Unit 29155 to operate disinformation campaigns designed to influence the election.
What happened
John Mark Dougan, a former Florida sheriff's deputy who moved to Russia, created viral deepfake videos and misinformation targeting Kamala Harris's 2024 election campaign according to European intelligence documents reviewed by the Washington Post.
The GRU, Russia's military intelligence service, funded Dougan's operations. Dougan operated fake news websites including DC Weekly, Chicago Chronicle, and Atlanta Observer between March 2021 and August 2024, receiving payments from Yury Khoroshevsky, an officer in the GRU's Unit 29155.
Dougan also worked with the Center for Geopolitical Expertise, a Moscow-based institute founded by far-right Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin. Dougan received funding after his websites had difficulty accessing Western AI generators.
Reported impact
Disinformation experts and the U.S. government have raised alarm about Russian operatives attempting to influence the 2024 presidential election through campaigns like Dougan's.
Governance controls
In July, the Department of Justice took action related to Russian influence campaigns operating websites and social media accounts to influence the 2024 election.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.