WASHINGTON — Jon Corzine is telling a Senate panel that he never told anyone to misuse $1.2 billion in customer money that vanished when MF Global collapsed this fall.

“I never gave any instruction to anyone at MF Global to misuse customer funds,” says Corzine, who resigned as CEO of the securities firm last month.

Corzine, a former New Jersey senator and governor, is testifying before the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Also appearing are Bradley Abelow, the firm’s president and chief operating officer, and Henri Steenkamp, the chief financial officer. Both have tried to distance themselves from any decision to transfer the money.

The committee is trying to find out who authorized the transfer and where the money is now. Brokers are required to keep client money separate from company funds.