[Mr. Deutch.]

Mr. Comey, was the FBI's investigation into Russian

interference and potential coordination with the Trump campaign

started by a fraudulent dossier?

Mr. Comey.

It was not.

Mr. Deutch.

Can you explain how you know that?

Mr. Comey.

Because I know what the basis was for starting

the investigation.

It was the information we'd received about

a conversation that a Trump foreign – campaign foreign policy

adviser had with an individual in London about stolen emails that

the Russians had that would be harmful to Hillary Clinton.

It

was weeks or months later that the so-called Steele dossier came

to our attention.

Mr. Deutch.

Was there anything illegal or improper about

the way the FBI started the Trump-Russia investigation?

Mr. Comey.

No.

And, in fact, I would hope that Republicans and Democrats would agree that we would have been

derelict not to investigate.

Who is Joseph Mifsud?

Director Comey, do you believe the FBI or DOJ ever

investigated the Trump campaign for political purposes?

Mr. Comey.

I not only don't believe it, I know it not to

be true.

Mr. Deutch.

I'm sorry, would you repeat that?

Mr. Comey.

I know it not to be true.

I know that we never

investigated the Trump campaign for political purposes.

Oh so dramatic. Who is Joseph Mifsud?