Comey told investigators McCabe led him to believe he had no role in authorizing that disclosure when, in fact, he did. The former FBI director repeated that claim on NPR, saying he was “quite confident,” in particular, that McCabe did not tell him after the Journal’s story had published of his role in it. Comey has said he authorized an investigation of leaks that ultimately led to McCabe.

At the press availability Friday, Bromwich disputed Comey’s account. He said while he was “not for a moment suggesting that Jim Comey is making things up or lying about Andy,” he believed that “Andy McCabe has a strong and clear recollection. Jim Comey does not.” McCabe, too, had the authority to authorize a media disclosure, though the inspector general said he was wrong to do so with the Wall Street Journal because he was trying to benefit his own reputation.

Bromwich said McCabe “believes it is more than likely” he told Comey “in advance” of the Wall Street Journal’s story that he had authorized FBI officials to describe the phone call. He said McCabe was “quite positive” he also told Comey after the story was published that he “had authorized the sharing of that information.”