(CNN) The Justice Department is reviewing House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff's request to open an investigation into allegations that Trump ally Erik Prince repeatedly misled Congress during the committee's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, according to a letter obtained by CNN.

The Department of Justice letter to Schiff, dated February 4, apologizes for the delayed response to the request filed 10 months ago.

"The Department ordinarily does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, and you should not interpret this acknowledgment as confirmation of an investigation of any of the matters described in your letter," it reads.

Marc Cohen, a spokesman for Prince, downplayed the significance of the letter, telling CNN "there is nothing new here."

"Erik Prince's House testimony has been public for more than a year, and was available at all times that Mr. Prince met with the Department of Justice during the Special Counsel's investigation. Mr. Prince cooperated completely with the Special Counsel's investigation, as its report demonstrates," Cohen said. "There is nothing new for the Department of Justice to consider, nor is there any reason to question the Special Counsel's decision to credit Mr. Prince and rely on him in drafting its report."

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