Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey Submits Not Guilty Plea to Accusations of Misleading Lawmakers
Former FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.
Mr Comey's attorney entered the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the case terminated for multiple factors including that his the accused, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.
The former director was formally accused shortly after Trump pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.
Court Developments
In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative informed the magistrate they intended to file several legal requests to terminate the legal matter before a trial, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.
The former director's legal matter was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional opponent - the New York official - was unable to file indictments.
Legal Setting
Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, his wife and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration recently fired.
After listening to the court recite his rights and the dual charges against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the accusations.
"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the court.
Previous Events
Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as president. At the time, the director was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the presidential campaign.
While in office, James Comey caused a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just shortly prior to the national vote that he was probing Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.
Current Allegations
Government attorneys claim Mr Comey provided false information to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted someone at the agency to disclose to media organizations information about the agency probes.
Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and delay" the panel by making false statements to it.
Public Statements
In a video James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of behaving like a "dictator".
"My family and I have been aware for a long time that there are costs to opposing Donald Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."
"I'm innocent," he stated further. "So let's have a trial."
The charges against Mr Comey came after Trump published on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and other people.
Associated Events
- Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey indicted on two charges
- The nature of accusations does former director James Comey encounter?