Previous FBI Director James Comey Enters Denial Plea to Charges of Lying Congress
Ex- FBI chief James the former director has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.
His lawyer submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
His attorney announced he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for several factors including that his the accused, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.
James Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump urged his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.
Judicial Process
At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they planned to present multiple petitions to dismiss the case before a court case, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly designated to handle the legal matter.
James Comey's legal matter was initially managed by the original attorney, who stepped down under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into an additional political adversary - the New York official - failed to bring criminal charges.
Legal Setting
Mr Comey appeared in positive mood as he walked into the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was joined by his spouse, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.
After listening to the judge state his rights and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he grasped the accusations.
"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.
Previous Events
Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was fired about a few months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the period, Mr Comey was directing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.
While in office, the director sparked a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he declared just days before the national vote that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Clinton were never brought, causing negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.
Present Charges
The federal government allege the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They say he provided false information to the Senate by stating he had not approved an individual at the FBI to disclose to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.
Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and impede" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.
Public Statements
Through a recording Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was accused, he declared he was innocent and charged Donald Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".
"We have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."
"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a legal proceeding."
The charges against the former director surfaced after the former president posted on social media calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.
Connected Matters
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey indicted on two charges
- The nature of allegations is former director James Comey face?