Houllier says he bears no grudges over the verbal attack on him from Bruce but claimed "some people are not telling the truth".
The former Liverpool boss also defended his decision not to make contact with the Black Cats boss when trying to sign Bent who moved for a club record £18million.
Houllier, when asked about Bruce's comments, said: "We have done things extremely right, properly, the right way.
"Paul Faulkner, our chief executive, was in contact with Niall Quinn (Sunderland chairman) and I was kept informed, step by step, during the negotiations.
"I thought, would assume, Niall did the same with Steve Bruce - unless he didn't. I was surprised by some of the declarations and thought, some people are not telling the truth."
Source: PA
Source: PA