Former FBI Director James Comey Enters Denial Plea to Allegations of Lying Lawmakers
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.
Mr Comey's legal representative entered the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.
The defense lawyer announced he would attempt to have the proceedings terminated for multiple reasons including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.
The former director was formally accused just days after Trump pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.
Court Developments
In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they planned to submit several legal requests to throw out the case before a court case, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to take over the case.
The former director's legal matter was first handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into another rival - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.
Judicial Environment
The former director came across in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.
After listening to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he grasped the charges.
"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the proceedings.
Previous Events
James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was fired about four months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and the presidential campaign.
Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating presidential nominee 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
Government attorneys allege the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They say he deceived the Senate by saying he had not authorized someone at the agency to leak to news outlets information about the government examinations.
Legal representatives also charge Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, obstruct and impede" the committee by providing untrue information to it.
Individual Responses
Through a recording Mr Comey posted to his social media after he was indicted, he stated he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of acting like a "autocrat".
"My family and I have known for a long time that there are ramifications to challenging the former president," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."
"I am not guilty," he added. "So let's have a trial."
These allegations against James Comey emerged after Trump posted on digital channels demanding his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.
Related Developments
- Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey charged on two charges
- The nature of allegations are ex-FBI director James Comey face?