Previous FBI Head James Comey Submits Denial Plea to Allegations of Misleading Lawmakers
Former FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and impeding a legislative process.
Mr Comey's lawyer submitted the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.
Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would try to have the proceedings terminated for various reasons including that his defendant, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.
James Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.
Court Developments
At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the court they aimed to file multiple motions to terminate the case before a court case, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully designated to handle the legal matter.
James Comey's legal matter was initially overseen by the original attorney, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.
Legal Setting
Mr Comey seemed in positive mood as he walked into the court on mid-week, conversing with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration dismissed.
Following the reading to the court read his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the charges.
"I do your honour. Thank you," he informed the court.
Background Context
Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as president. At the moment, Mr Comey was directing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from Democrats when he announced just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were never brought, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.
Ongoing Accusations
Prosecutors assert the former director lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the legislative body by saying he had not authorized an individual at the agency to release to news outlets data about the FBI investigations.
Prosecutors also allege Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, block and slow" the committee by providing untrue information to it.
Individual Responses
Through a recording the former director posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was not guilty and accused the former president of acting like a "tyrant".
"Our household have known for considerable time that there are consequences to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."
"I am not guilty," he added. "So let's have a court case."
The accusations against Mr Comey surfaced after Trump shared on digital channels calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, prosecute James Comey and others.
Connected Matters
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey indicted on two charges
- The nature of charges are former director James Comey face?