As Russia probe looms, Roger Stone touts relationship to WikiLeaks – CNN

Over the weekend, the longtime Trump confidant tweeted that he had a "back channel" to WikiLeaks during the presidential campaign -- only to later delete it.

"[N]ever denied perfectly legal back channel to Assange who indeed had the goods on #CrookedHillary," Stone tweeted late Saturday night. The post was gone after almost 40 minutes.

Last weekend's Twitter flare-up raised questions anew about Stone, who worked for the Trump campaign in 2015 and claims to have a connection to WikiLeaks and its leader, Julian Assange.

WikiLeaks took to Twitter, saying it was unaware of communications between Stone and the organization or Assange.

Stone said on Twitter more than a week later that it would soon be Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's "time in the barrel."

The message proved prescient. In early October, WikiLeaks began posting Podesta's emails online for public consumption.

WikiLeaks has denied that Russia was the source for its disclosures, and the Russian government has emphatically denied any connection with the theft as well.

"I do have a back-channel communication with Assange because we have a good mutual friend," he said in the October interview.

Throughout these media appearances, Stone has also categorically denied any contact with Russia besides an affinity for its alcoholic beverages.

And from the margins, Stone cheered on his friend and insulted his critics.

With that nod toward victory, Stone has continued what he's done all along: making profane statements attacking his political opponents, stirring up fights and defending his longtime friend -- who now occupies the Oval Office.

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As Russia probe looms, Roger Stone touts relationship to WikiLeaks - CNN