"Ex-Florida Deputy Tied to Over 150 Russian Fake News Sites"

Research by NewsGuard has linked over 150 fake local news websites spreading Russian propaganda to John Mark Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff now living in Moscow. These sites, which resemble legitimate local news outlets, have disseminated false stories about the Ukraine war and U.S. politics, including the 2024 election. Dougan, who fled to Russia in 2016 to evade criminal charges, denies involvement. The sites use AI-generated content and have been linked to Dougan through various digital footprints. Experts warn of their potential to influence U.S. elections.