Ex- FBI Head James Comey Files Not Guilty Plea to Accusations of Lying Lawmakers
Previous FBI chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.
The former director's legal representative submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.
The defense lawyer declared he would attempt to have the case dismissed for various reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.
The former director was charged soon after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.
Court Developments
During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative told the court they aimed to file multiple motions to dismiss the proceedings before a court case, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to take over the legal matter.
The former director's proceedings was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his investigation into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.
Legal Setting
The former director appeared in positive mood as he entered the legal venue on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, his wife and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration dismissed.
Following the reading to the judge read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the charges.
"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he told the proceedings.
Previous Events
James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's first administration as president. At the time, the director was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from the Democratic party when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were never brought, leading to disapproval from Republicans as well.
Current Allegations
Government attorneys allege Mr Comey lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the legislative body by stating he had not permitted an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.
Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and slow" the committee by making false statements to it.
Personal Comments
Via social media Mr Comey posted to his online platform after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and charged the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".
"Our household have understood for years that there are costs to opposing Donald Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."
"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."
The accusations against Mr Comey came after Trump published on online platforms insisting on his top legal official, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.
Connected Matters
- Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey indicted on two charges
- The nature of charges are ex-FBI director James Comey face?