Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey Submits Denial Plea to Charges of Falsehoods US Legislators
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
The former director's lawyer filed the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.
Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would seek to have the proceedings thrown out for several reasons including that his defendant, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.
James Comey was indicted just days after Donald Trump pushed his chief prosecutor to take action against him.
Judicial Process
In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative informed the magistrate they aimed to file various legal requests to throw out the legal matter before a court case, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to take over the proceedings.
James Comey's proceedings was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under influence from Trump after his investigation into an additional opponent - the New York official - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.
Courtroom Atmosphere
Mr Comey seemed in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and making jokes. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the former government terminated.
After listening to the court read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the accusations.
"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the judge.
Previous Events
James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was fired about several months into the former president's initial presidency as national leader. At the period, he was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the presidential campaign.
While in office, Mr Comey triggered a backlash from Democrats when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing criticism from the Republican party as well.
Present Charges
Prosecutors assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he provided false information to the upper house by saying he had not permitted someone at the agency to leak to journalistic entities data about the FBI investigations.
Prosecutors also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and delay" the committee by providing untrue information to it.
Personal Comments
In a video Mr Comey shared to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".
"My family and I have understood for a long time that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."
"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."
The charges against James Comey surfaced after Donald Trump shared on digital channels demanding his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.
Associated Events
- Previous FBI head James Comey charged on dual counts
- Which allegations is ex-FBI director James Comey confront?