Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Head James Comey Enters Denial Plea to Charges of Falsehoods US Legislators
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.
Mr Comey's attorney entered the plea on his behalf in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.
The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings thrown out for various factors including that his the accused, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.
James Comey was indicted soon after the former president pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.
Court Developments
In court on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they aimed to submit multiple petitions to throw out the legal matter before a legal hearing, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the case.
James Comey's legal matter was originally overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under influence from the former president after his investigation into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.
Courtroom Atmosphere
Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he entered the court on Wednesday, speaking with his legal team and making jokes. He was supported by his partner, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.
After listening to the judge read his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he understood the allegations.
"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the judge.
Historical Information
The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was fired about four months into the former president's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was overseeing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey triggered a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.
Ongoing Accusations
The federal government assert the former director provided false information to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the Senate by stating he had not permitted someone at the FBI to disclose to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.
Legal representatives also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and delay" the committee by making false statements to it.
Personal Comments
Through a recording James Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of acting like a "dictator".
"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."
"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a legal proceeding."
The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after the former president shared on online platforms demanding his top legal official, Ms Bondi, prosecute James Comey and others.
Associated Events
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey indicted on two charges
- Which allegations are ex-FBI director James Comey encounter?