FBI investigated Sessions

WASHINGTON — The FBI investigated Attorney General Jeff Sessions for possible perjury last year over congressional testimony in which he said he had no contacts with Russians, according to three people familiar with the case.

In fact, Sessions later acknowledged, he had met the Russian ambassador to the United States during the campaign and was aware that George Papadopoulos, a campaign adviser, had developed Russian ties, too. FBI agents were aware of both inaccuracies in real time. And last March, when Congress asked the FBI to investigate the attorney general, agents began doing so, two people said.

Andrew McCabe, the FBI’s deputy director at the time, authorized the investigation, the two people said. McCabe himself was recently fired for showing ‘‘lack of candor’’ in an internal investigation. Sessions rejected McCabe’s appeal and fired him hours before his retirement was to take effect, jeopardizing his pension.

McCabe’s lawyers have said he did not lie and acted quickly to fix any inaccuracies or misunderstandings. Sessions has offered a similar defense, saying he never intended to mislead Congress.

‘‘The special counsel’s office has informed me that after interviewing the attorney general and conducting additional investigation, the attorney general is not under investigation for false statements or perjury in his confirmation hearing testimony and related written submissions to Congress,’’ Sessions’ lawyer, Chuck Cooper, said.