Roger Stone, following a pre-dawn arrest at his home in Florida and ahead of an arraignment in Washington on Tuesday, said that he would discuss cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, if asked.
“You know, that’s a question I would have to –- I have to determine after my attorneys have some discussion,” Stone told ABC News’ Chief Anchor George Stephanopolous on “This Week” Sunday. “If there’s wrongdoing by other people in the campaign that I know about, which I know of none, but if there is I would certainly testify honestly. I’d also testify honestly about any other matter, including any communications with the president. It’s true that we spoke on the phone, but those communications are political in nature, they’re benign, and there is –- there is certainly no conspiracy with Russia. The president’s right, there is no Russia collusion.”
Stone, 66, President Donald Trump’s longtime friend and a veteran political operative, was arrested after the special counsel filed a seven-count indictment against him as part of an ongoing probe into Russia interference during the 2016 election.
Roger Stone: “That’s a question I’ll have to determine after my attorneys have some discussion … I would certainly testify honestly” https://t.co/PAbc4RuByr pic.twitter.com/yTWpkkBq3F
The special counsel leveled against Stone five counts of lying to Congress, one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, and one count of witness tampering. Stone was arrested and appeared in court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, late Friday morning. The indictment was filed on Thursday.
“Have you ever had any conversations with the president during the campaign or since the campaign about Russia or the Mueller investigation?” Stephanopolous asked.
“None whatsoever,” he said. “Categorically. … Zero. Zero.”
Stephanopolous asked Stone what he hopes to gain by doing interviews after being indicted.
“I think the way I was treated on Thursday is extraordinary,” he said. “I think the American people need to hear about it.”
A swarm of FBI agents wielding long guns and tactical gear took Stone into custody at his Fort Lauderdale home on Friday and obtained search warrants for his homes in Florida and New York City. He continued to complain about the show of force Sunday.
“This was an attempt to poison the jury pool,” he said.
Within hours of the FBI’s arrest, Stone made an initial court appearance Friday morning, where a federal judge set his bond at $250,000 and limited his travel to Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The charges brought by Mueller’s office largely revolve around false statements Stone is accused of making to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees regarding his communications with associates about WikiLeaks.
“I am falsely accused of making false statements,” he said Friday outside the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. “I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated.” Stone pledged to fight the charges and reiterated his support for Trump, a man who he supports politically and considers a close friend.
“There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president,” he said Friday. “I am one of his oldest friends. I am a fervent supporter of the president.”
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
ABC News’ Lucien Bruggeman and Quinn Scanlan contributed to this report.
