Senate panel asks Trump ally Roger Stone to preserve Russia-related records

The Senate Intelligence Committee has reportedly asked President Trump’s longtime ally Roger Stone to preserve any documents related to its probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Stone was asked in a letter to “preserve and retain all hard copies and electronically stored information as specified below in furtherance of the committee’s ongoing investigation into Russian actions targeting the 2016 U.S. elections and democratic processes globally,” The New York Times reported Saturday.

Stone acknowledged that he received the letter this week even though it was dated Feb. 17, according to the Times, which reported that the letter was signed by Sen Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the chairman of the committee, and Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the panel’s top Democrat.

{mosads}Stone signaled that he is looking forward to working with the committee and proving any information it would need.

“I am anxious to rebut allegations that I had any improper or nefarious contact with any agent of the Russian state based on facts, not misleading and salacious headlines,” he said, according to the report. “I am willing to appear voluntarily if the committee isn’t looking for the headline of issuing a subpoena.”

Stone also reiterated that the intelligence agencies are pushing a “false Russian narrative” and that there is no evidence to suggest that he colluded with Moscow.

“The government is in possession of no evidence whatsoever that shows that I colluded with the Russian state,” he said.

Stone has previously disclosed that he had contact on Twitter with Guccifer 2.0, an individual who is believed to be a part of the Russian intelligence network. Stone called that communication “completely innocuous.”