Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey Files Not Guilty Plea to Charges of Lying Congress

James Comey court appearance
Comey has stated his non-guilt about the charges

Previous FBI head James Comey has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's legal representative filed the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for several factors including that his client, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was formally accused just days after Trump pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer the legal representative told the judge they planned to present several legal requests to terminate the case before a trial, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the case.

James Comey's legal matter was initially managed by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe 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 came into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, his wife and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Upon hearing to the court recite his rights and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he understood the allegations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the proceedings.

Previous Events

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as president. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, the director caused a backlash from Democrats when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were not filed, resulting in disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors allege the former director provided false information to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he deceived the upper house by claiming he had not approved an individual at the agency to release to media organizations information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

In a video Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was charged, he stated he was not guilty and charged Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for years that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he commented. "We will not live on our knees."
"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

The charges against the former director emerged after the former president shared on social media insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and other people.

Associated Events

  • Former FBI chief James Comey charged on dual counts
  • Which charges is previous chief James Comey face?
Brandon Cherry
Brandon Cherry

A certified esthetician with over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, passionate about helping others achieve radiant skin.