Ex- FBI Director James Comey Enters Denial Plea to Allegations of Misleading Lawmakers
Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has denied the charges to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.
Mr Comey's legal representative filed the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would try to have the proceedings thrown out for multiple factors including that his the accused, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.
Mr Comey was charged shortly after the former president pushed his top legal official to proceed against him.
Judicial Process
In court on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they intended to present several motions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, stating the legal action was retaliatory and that a US attorney was improperly assigned to take over the proceedings.
The former director's proceedings was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under influence from the former president after his examination into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.
Legal Setting
Mr Comey appeared in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.
Upon hearing to the court recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, the defendant was inquired if he comprehended the allegations.
"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he told the court.
Previous Events
Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into the former president's first term as national leader. At the moment, the director was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the election effort.
While in office, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just shortly prior to the national vote that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a personal email system. Charges against the candidate were never brought, leading to negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.
Current Allegations
Prosecutors allege James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not permitted someone at the agency to release to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.
Prosecutors also accuse the defendant of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and slow" the panel by making false statements to it.
Personal Comments
Through a recording the former director published to his online platform after he was charged, he said he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of behaving like a "tyrant".
"Our household have been aware for years that there are ramifications to challenging Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our kneeling."
"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a court case."
The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president published on online platforms calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, prosecute James Comey and others.
Related Developments
- Ex- FBI head James Comey accused on two charges
- The nature of accusations does previous chief James Comey face?