Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey Submits Innocent Plea to Charges of Lying US Legislators
Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
His attorney entered the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.
His attorney announced he would try to have the proceedings terminated for several factors including that his the accused, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being singled out.
The former director was indicted soon after Donald Trump urged his attorney general to proceed against him.
Legal Proceedings
At the proceedings on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative informed the judge they planned to file various legal requests to dismiss the legal matter before a trial, arguing the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly assigned to assume control of the case.
The former director's proceedings was first managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into another rival - the New York official - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.
Legal Setting
Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the former government dismissed.
After listening to the judge recite his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the accusations.
"Absolutely 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 Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, the director was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing negative feedback from Republicans as well.
Present Charges
The federal government allege the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the upper house by stating he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.
Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, obstruct and impede" the committee by providing untrue information to it.
Public Statements
Via social media Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he said he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of behaving like a "dictator".
"My family and I have known for considerable time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."
"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."
The accusations against James Comey came after the former president published on social media calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge James Comey and additional individuals.
Related Developments
- Previous FBI head James Comey indicted on pair of allegations
- The nature of charges is previous chief James Comey confront?