“Speaking to Lawfare, Baker emphasized how hard the FBI worked to verify the dossier’s allegations. “When a source shows up with a big stack of information, as in this case, you go to work,” he said. “It came in from what appears to be a reliable source. He gives you all this information. Go to work. Try to validate it. You don’t just swallow it hook, line, and sinker. That’s not what we do.”
Yes they did swallow it hook line and sinker if you believe Baker’s direct subordinate. From the following article:
“Ms. Anderson: “All necessary approvals, including up through and including the leadership of the FBI and the leadership of the Department, by the time I put that signature on the cover page had already been obtained.”
To quote George Costanza
“It’s not a lie if you believe it, Jerry!”