Robert Hyde Says He Was Only 'Playing' in Texts About Surveillance of Marie Yovanovitch

https://www.newsweek.com/robert-hyde-only-playing-texts-about-marie-yovanovitch-surveillance-1482511

GOP congressional candidate Robert Hyde has denied being involved in surveillance of former U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, saying he was "playing" in texts to Lev Parnas released by House Democrats on Tuesday.

The Connecticut Republican told Eric Bolling on Sinclair TV last night that messages he sent to Rudy Giuliani's indicted associate discussing surveillance of Yovanovitch were "just colorful," and said he was a "little landscaper from f****** Connecticut" when pressed on whether he had spied on the then-ambassador.

Hyde also denied being a "close associate" of Parnas, claiming he barely knew the businessman.

Documents released on Tuesday suggested the supporter of President Donald Trump texted Parnas with supposed notes on Yovanovitch, her whereabouts and what she was doing.

"She's talked to three people. Her phone is off. Computer is off," one message from March 2019 read. According to the documents, another pair of messages said: "Update she will not be moved special security unit upgraded force on the compound people are already aware of the situation my contacts are asking what is the next step because they cannot keep going to check people will start to ask questions.