Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey Submits Not Guilty Plea to Charges of Misleading US Legislators
Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has denied the charges to making false statements to lawmakers and hindering a legislative process.
The former director's legal representative submitted the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.
The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for several reasons including that his the accused, a opponent of former President Trump, was being singled out.
Mr Comey was charged just days after the former president pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.
Judicial Process
In court on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative told the magistrate they planned to present several petitions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was improperly designated to handle the proceedings.
Mr Comey's legal matter was initially handled by the original attorney, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.
Judicial Environment
James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and making jokes. He was joined by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration recently fired.
After listening to the magistrate read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he grasped the charges.
"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.
Background Context
Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about a few months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was leading an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and Trump's campaign.
Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were not filed, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.
Current Allegations
Government attorneys allege James Comey provided false information to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the legislative body by stating he had not approved someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets details about the government examinations.
Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, hinder and slow" the panel by providing untrue information to it.
Public Statements
Through a recording James Comey posted to his social media after he was indicted, he declared he was not guilty and alleged Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".
"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he commented. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."
"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a trial."
The accusations against the former director came after Trump shared on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and others.
Related Developments
- Former FBI head James Comey accused on pair of allegations
- The nature of accusations does former director James Comey face?