Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey Files Not Guilty Plea to Accusations of Falsehoods Congress

James Comey court appearance
Comey has asserted his clean record regarding the indictments

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's attorney entered the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for multiple factors including that his the accused, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged soon after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they aimed to file several legal requests to throw out the proceedings before a trial, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was improperly designated to handle the proceedings.

James Comey's proceedings was initially managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into a different opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director seemed in good spirits as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was supported by his wife, his wife and daughter Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the court read his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he comprehended the accusations.

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

Historical Information

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as national leader. At the period, Mr Comey was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing political contender Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors assert the former director lied to Congress during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he provided false information to the upper house by saying he had not approved an individual at the agency to release to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video James Comey published to his social media after he was accused, he stated he was innocent and accused Trump of acting like a "dictator".

"We have been aware for years that there are ramifications to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We choose not to live on our knees."
"I am not guilty," he continued. "So let's have a court case."

These allegations against James Comey emerged after Donald Trump shared on social media demanding his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.

Associated Events

  • Former FBI head James Comey indicted on two charges
  • The nature of charges does previous chief James Comey encounter?
Jacob Cox
Jacob Cox

A seasoned entrepreneur and startup advisor with over a decade of experience in venture capital and business development.