Bad news for Dem frontrunner for Byrd's Senate Seat

At the tail end of a week that saw a pile up of bad news for the Democrats on the ballot this fall comes this news item from West Virginia Watchdog:

Gov. Joe Manchin‘s office confirmed today that state government officials have been contacted by the U.S. Attorney's Office this week regarding an ongoing investigation. The target may be Manchin himself, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous.

Democrat Manchin is the front runner to replace the late Senator Robert Byrd in November's special election. Another story reported that:

Manchin spokesman Melvin Smith would not comment Friday on which officials were contacted, or what was requested.

But Smith did say that investigators haven't said that the governor or any other state employee is under investigation.

According to this from West Virginia Watchdog

The subpoenas asked for contracts and records for businesses that have done work at the governor's mansion as well as provided services for parties there. The investigation is into whether Manchin has complied with bidding and state contract requirements.

Those documents do tend to indicate Governor Manchin could be the target