Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey Files Not Guilty Plea to Accusations of Misleading Lawmakers
Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and impeding a lawmaking procedure.
Mr Comey's attorney filed the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for multiple factors including that his the accused, a opponent of former President Trump, was being singled out.
The former director was formally accused soon after Donald Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.
Judicial Process
At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald informed the court they planned to file various petitions to dismiss the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to assume control of the case.
Mr Comey's case was first overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.
Courtroom Atmosphere
The former director came across in positive mood as he walked into the court on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration dismissed.
After listening to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was questioned if he understood the accusations.
"Yes your honour. Thank you," he stated to the court.
Background Context
James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was fired about a few months into the former president's first administration as national leader. At the period, he was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.
While in office, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Clinton were not pursued, causing negative feedback from Republicans as well.
Ongoing Accusations
Prosecutors allege the former director lied to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the Senate by saying he had not permitted a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.
Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and delay" the committee by making false statements to it.
Individual Responses
Via social media James Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was not guilty and alleged Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".
"We have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."
"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a legal proceeding."
These allegations against Mr Comey surfaced after Trump published on social media demanding his attorney general, the attorney general, charge the former director and other people.
Associated Events
- Ex- FBI chief James Comey accused on dual counts
- Which accusations is previous chief James Comey confront?