🔗 Share this article

Former FBI chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and impeding a legislative process.

The former director's attorney filed the response on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney stated he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for multiple reasons including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged shortly after the former president pushed his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they planned to file multiple motions to terminate the legal matter before a trial, stating the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the case.

James Comey's case was originally managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his investigation into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he walked into the court on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was supported by his spouse, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the court state his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he told the court.

Previous Events

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as national leader. At the moment, the director was overseeing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a backlash from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the national vote that he was probing political contender the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against the candidate were not filed, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors claim James Comey provided false information to Congress during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by saying he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and delay" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media James Comey shared to his online platform after he was indicted, he declared he was innocent and charged the former president of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for considerable time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "So let's have a court case."

The charges against James Comey came after Donald Trump published on digital channels demanding his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, charge the former director and other people.