Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey Files Innocent Plea to Allegations of Misleading Congress
Previous FBI head James Comey has denied the charges to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.
Mr Comey's attorney entered the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.
Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would seek to have the legal matter dismissed for several reasons including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.
Mr Comey was formally accused just days after Trump pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.
Court Developments
In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they aimed to submit multiple petitions to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully appointed to assume control of the case.
Mr Comey's legal matter was first managed by the original attorney, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his investigation into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.
Courtroom Atmosphere
Mr Comey came across in positive mood as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, his wife and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the former government recently fired.
Upon hearing to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he comprehended the charges.
"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the proceedings.
Background Context
The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.
During his tenure, Mr Comey caused a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing negative feedback from Republicans as well.
Ongoing Accusations
Government attorneys claim the former director lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted an individual at the agency to release to news outlets data about the FBI investigations.
Prosecutors also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and delay" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.
Individual Responses
In a video James Comey posted to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".
"My family and I have known for years that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."
"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."
These allegations against James Comey came after the former president published on social media calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and other people.
Associated Events
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey indicted on pair of allegations
- Which allegations is previous chief James Comey confront?