Former FBI Director James Comey Submits Not Guilty Plea to Accusations of Lying Congress
Previous FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a lawmaking procedure.
The former director's lawyer filed the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the proceedings thrown out for various factors including that his defendant, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.
The former director was charged soon after Trump pressured his attorney general to take action against him.
Legal Proceedings
During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they planned to submit various legal requests to throw out the case before a legal hearing, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was unlawfully assigned to take over the proceedings.
Mr Comey's legal matter was initially overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - failed to file indictments.
Legal Setting
Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he entered the court on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.
After listening to the judge recite his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he grasped the accusations.
"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the proceedings.
Background Context
James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about four months into the former president's first term as president. At the time, Mr Comey was directing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.
Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were never brought, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.
Ongoing Accusations
Government attorneys allege Mr Comey lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the upper house by stating he had not authorized an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.
Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, hinder and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.
Individual Responses
In a video Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was wrongly accused and accused Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".
"Our household have been aware for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."
"I'm innocent," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."
The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after Trump published on social media insisting on his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.
Connected Matters
- Previous FBI chief James Comey indicted on pair of allegations
- The nature of charges does previous chief James Comey confront?