🔗 Share this article

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to US legislators and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's lawyer submitted the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would seek to have the case thrown out for various causes including that his the accused, a detractor of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was formally accused shortly after Trump pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the court they intended to file several motions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly assigned to assume control of the case.

The former director's legal matter was initially handled by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into a different opponent - the New York official - was unable to file indictments.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, the defendant was inquired if he comprehended the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he stated to the proceedings.

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about several months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the period, Mr Comey was leading an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director sparked a backlash from the Democratic party when he declared just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government assert Mr Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They say he misled the Senate by claiming he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was accused, he said he was innocent and charged Trump of acting like a "dictator".

"We have known for a long time that there are consequences to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey came after Trump published on social media insisting on his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.