Ex- FBI Head James Comey Enters Denial Plea to Charges of Falsehoods Congress
Previous FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to making false statements to congressional representatives and hindering a congressional proceeding.
His attorney filed the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.
His attorney declared he would seek to have the case dismissed for several reasons including that his the accused, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being targeted.
Mr Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.
Judicial Process
During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald told the judge they aimed to submit several petitions to throw out the legal matter before a court case, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly designated to assume control of the proceedings.
James Comey's legal matter was originally overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under pressure from the former president after his examination into another opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.
Legal Setting
James Comey seemed in good spirits as he entered the court on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration dismissed.
After listening to the magistrate recite his rights and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he grasped the allegations.
"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the judge.
Background Context
James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was fired about several months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, the director was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the national vote that he was investigating presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing disapproval from conservative politicians as well.
Ongoing Accusations
Prosecutors assert James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not approved a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.
Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and impede" the committee by making false statements to it.
Public Statements
Through a recording Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of acting like a "dictator".
"Our household have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."
"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a trial."
The charges against the former director surfaced after the former president published on digital channels insisting on his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and additional individuals.
Associated Events
- Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey indicted on pair of allegations
- Which charges are previous chief James Comey encounter?