Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation Head James Comey Files Not Guilty Plea to Charges of Lying Lawmakers
Previous FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
The former director's attorney entered the response acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.
His attorney announced he would seek to have the legal matter terminated for various reasons including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.
James Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.
Legal Proceedings
At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative told the judge they planned to file multiple legal requests to dismiss the legal matter before a court case, stating the legal action was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to take over the case.
Mr Comey's case was originally overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from the former president after his investigation into an additional rival - the New York official - failed to bring criminal charges.
Judicial Environment
Mr Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was joined by his wife, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration terminated.
After listening to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the accusations.
"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he told the proceedings.
Previous Events
James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was fired about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as president. At the moment, he was overseeing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey caused a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Clinton were never brought, resulting in disapproval from the Republican party as well.
Present Charges
Prosecutors assert the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the Senate by stating he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to media organizations information about the FBI investigations.
Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, hinder and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.
Personal Comments
Via social media James Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was not guilty and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".
"Our household have been aware for considerable time that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."
"I'm innocent," he continued. "Thus initiate a trial."
The charges against Mr Comey emerged after the former president shared on online platforms demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.
Associated Events
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey accused on dual counts
- What accusations does previous chief James Comey face?