Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey Enters Innocent Plea to Charges of Lying US Legislators
Former FBI chief James Comey has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a legislative process.
His attorney filed the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would attempt to have the legal matter thrown out for several causes including that his defendant, a critic of Donald Trump, was being singled out.
James Comey was charged just days after Trump pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.
Judicial Process
In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they intended to submit several legal requests to throw out the proceedings before a court case, arguing the government's case was vindictive and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to handle the case.
Mr Comey's case was originally managed by the original attorney, who left his position under pressure from Trump after his probe into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.
Judicial Environment
The former director appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on Wednesday, chatting with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his partner, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.
Following the reading to the court read his rights and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he grasped the charges.
"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the court.
Historical Information
The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about several months into Trump's first term as national leader. At the period, he was leading an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the election effort.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Clinton were not pursued, leading to negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.
Present Charges
The federal government assert James Comey provided false information to the legislature during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the upper house by saying he had not permitted someone at the FBI to disclose to media organizations information about the agency probes.
Legal representatives also allege James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.
Public Statements
Via social media James Comey posted to his social media after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and accused Donald Trump of acting like a "autocrat".
"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."
"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."
The accusations against Mr Comey came after Donald Trump published on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and other people.
Related Developments
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey charged on pair of allegations
- What charges are previous chief James Comey encounter?