Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Head James Comey Files Denial Plea to Allegations of Falsehoods Lawmakers
Previous FBI chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
Mr Comey's legal representative filed the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the case dismissed for various causes including that his client, a opponent of former President Trump, was being singled out.
James Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president pushed his attorney general to take action against him.
Judicial Process
During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to submit multiple motions to terminate the legal matter before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to handle the legal matter.
The former director's proceedings was initially overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.
Legal Setting
The former director came across in good spirits as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, speaking with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was supported by his spouse, his wife and daughter Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.
Following the reading to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, James Comey was questioned if he understood the allegations.
"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he told the court.
Historical Information
Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the moment, the director was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between Russia and the election effort.
While in office, the director caused a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.
Current Allegations
The federal government claim the former director provided false information to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he misled the upper house by claiming he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.
Legal representatives also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, block and delay" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.
Public Statements
Via social media the former director shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and alleged the former president of behaving like a "tyrant".
"Our household have known for a long time that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."
"I am not guilty," he continued. "So let's have a court case."
The charges against the former director came after Trump published on social media demanding his top legal official, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.
Related Developments
- Previous FBI head James Comey charged on pair of allegations
- The nature of allegations are ex-FBI director James Comey face?