Roger Stone 'Categorically' Denies Contact With Russians

Roger Stone, a former adviser during President Donald Trump's campaign said Thursday that he "categorically, positively did not" have regular contacts with Russian officials, despite a report in The New York Times that said he's under federal investigation.

"I would like any fair, unbiased investigation so that we can clear the air on this once and for all," Stone told NBC "Today" anchor Matt Lauer, when asked about the Times report naming him and other Trump advisers as being under investigation during the campaign.

Stone said he had not been involved with Russian intelligence officials during or after the campaign, and that he's not been contacted by the FBI or any other agency concerning a possible probe, including one involving Russia's hacking into the Democratic National
Committee's communications.

"They'd be pretty bored if they wanted to look at my e-mails or transmissions because they won't have anything of this nature," he told Lauer. "I have no Russian clients. I've never been in touch with anyone in Russia."

Stone also discussed a series of leaks coming from the White House, saying they're happening because of a power struggle between people loyal to Trump and the people who are more loyal to the Republican Party.

There is room in the administration for people who are "just Republicans," said Stone, but the leaks are a "manifestation of the fact that there are people who have been hired who, very sadly, are not loyal to the president.

He did not single out Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, a former Republican National Committee chairman, as being disloyal.

Related Stories:

• Defense Chief Mattis Sees No Military Collaboration With Russia
• The Hill: Priebus, Bannon Slam Reports of White House Rift