An FBI informant posing as a research assistant met with Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos roughly two months before the 2016 presidential election, The New York Times reported Thursday.
The woman, whom the Times identified as Azura Turk, reportedly met with Papadopoulos at a London bar as part of its probe into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Ms. Turk reportedly inquired whether the campaign was in contact with Russian officials, the Times said detailing the previously unknown encounter.
Ms. Turk worked alongside another FBI informant, Stefan Halper, a Cambridge University professor, posing as his research assistant, the Times reported.
The Times said Papadopoulos exchanged emails with Ms. Turk and the pair met weeks after the FBI opened its Russia probe into the Trump campaign. He confirmed the story to the Times, but did not know if the woman he met worked for the FBI.
Republicans continue to raise questions about the FBI’s surveillance of Trump campaign officials ahead of the 2016 election. The president has accused the FBI of spying on his campaign.
The FBI’s decisions surrounding the election are the subject of three investigations. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz is expected to release a report on the issue this month and Attorney General William Barr has pledged to look into it.
U.S. Attorney John Huber is said to be probing allegations the FBI monitored Trump campaign members, but it is not clear where his investigation stands.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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