Intelligence agencies reviewing communications in Russia hacking inquiry

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. intelligence agencies are reviewing intercepted communications as part of a broad investigation into Russian election tampering and individuals associated with Donald Trump's presidential campaign, according to media reports.

The nature of the intercepted communications is unclear and it is not known whether they involve Trump or anyone associated with his business empire or his presidential campaign, The New York Times reported.

Trump and the intelligence community have clashed since he was elected in November, with an investigation headed up by the FBI that included analysis and input from the CIA and other intelligence agencies concluding Russia deliberately interfered with the presidential election in a bid to help get Trump elected. Trump has refuted those claims, saying there is not any proof Russia was behind the hacking of high-profile Democratic groups and the emails of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman.

At least three former members of Trump's campaign may be under scrutiny for business ties to Russia. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was a political consultant for the former Russian-backed president of Ukraine. Longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, who, like Manafort, is a veteran Republican political operative, is also a potential part of the investigation, as is Carter Page, a businessman and former foreign policy adviser to Trump's campaign, the Times reported.

While it has been clear for weeks there is a multi-agency inquiry into the Russian government's tampering with the presidential election, what remains murky is the precise nature of the information being sought -- and whether Trump himself, or his campaign, are a focus of the investigation.

Manafort and Stone both told The New York Times they have not been questioned by the FBI or any other agency and denied any specific knowledge of Russia's meddling in the election, except for what's been widely reported in the press.

FBI Director James Comey, in both public and closed-door briefings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, has been cagey about even acknowledging whether an investigation into Trump or his associates in underway. Comey has said it violates department policy to even confirm whether investigations are happening, a stance that drew sharp rebukes from Democrats still outraged at his handling of the Clinton email investigation. Many Democrats have blamed Comey's public comments only days before the election suggesting a potential reopening of the email investigation for Clinton's defeat.

A Trump spokeswoman said the president-elect was not aware of any ongoing investigation involving ties to Russia.

"We have absolutely no knowledge of any investigation or even a basis for such an investigation," said Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition.