Founder of Fusion GPS to Plead the Fifth in House Investigation

Several figures key to the disputed anti-Trump dossier, including Glenn Simpson, have been called to Capitol Hill to testify in the House investigation into Justice Department actions during the 2016 campaign, which is coming to an end.

However, Joshua Levy, Simpson’s lawyer, said the founder of the anti-Trump research firm Fusion GPS, will plead the Fifth in order to avoid testifying when he appears before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“Compelling Glenn Simpson to appear for a confidential deposition after he has stated his intention to invoke his constitutional right not to testify reflects the worst practices of past congressional investigations and reinforces that this is a political exercise, not a serious inquiry,” the lawyer wrote in a statement.

Former FBI top lawyer James A. Baker, who had a close working relationship with former FBI Director James, has also been called for a deposition, Fox News reports. He testified earlier this month about the origin of the FBI’s Russia probe, as well as about being given documents about the investigation by a Perkins Coie lawyer. Sources familiar with his testimony say it only suggests another connection between the early stages of the FBI’s Russia probe and those working with the DNC and the Clinton campaign.

A deposition has likewise been scheduled for Friday with Nellie Ohr, a Russia researcher for Simpson’s company and the wife a Department of Justice official who also testified about his contact with Simpson during the campaign.

The infamous dossier played a key role in the application for surveillance of Trump campaign adviser Carter Page by the DOJ and the FBI. Page filed a suit in Oklahoma against the DNC and the Perkins Coie law firm over what he maintains are “slanderous” and “libelous” statements.

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