WASHINGTON – The Justice Department sought Friday to dampen expectations for the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, saying the report is not expected next week.

Speculation was rampant about what the report might contain and what Attorney General William Barr would release publicly in the wake of a CNN report that Mueller could finish as early as next week.

A senior Justice Department official said Friday that such reports are incorrect.

The incident marked a rare public comment about the nearly two-year investigation. In January, Mueller spokesman Peter Carr disputed a Buzzfeed report that President Donald Trump had ordered his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, to lie to Congress.

Cohen is scheduled to testify next week before three congressional committees, with a public hearing Wednesday before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. He reports to prison May 6.

There is no deadline for Mueller to complete his work, and several cases are pending.