Previous FBI Director James Comey Enters Not Guilty Plea to Accusations of Lying Congress
Previous FBI head James Comey has denied the charges to making false statements to congressional representatives and hindering a lawmaking procedure.
The former director's lawyer submitted the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.
The defense lawyer declared he would try to have the legal matter terminated for several reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of former President Trump, was being targeted.
The former director was formally accused soon after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to move forward against him.
Judicial Process
During the hearing on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the judge they intended to file several petitions to throw out the proceedings before a trial, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully appointed to handle the legal matter.
Mr Comey's case was first managed by the original attorney, who stepped down under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.
Courtroom Atmosphere
Mr Comey seemed in good spirits as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, conversing with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen, a government attorney who the Trump administration dismissed.
After listening to the magistrate read his legal protections and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the allegations.
"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the court.
Previous Events
Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about several months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, the director was leading an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.
Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he announced just days before the 2016 election that he was examining political contender Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, causing negative feedback from the Republican party as well.
Present Charges
Government attorneys assert the former director lied to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They say he deceived the legislative body by saying he had not approved a person at the agency to disclose to news outlets data about the agency probes.
Government lawyers also allege the defendant of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and impede" the panel by providing untrue information to it.
Personal Comments
Via social media the former director shared to his online platform after he was indicted, he said he was not guilty and alleged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".
"Our household have known for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."
"I am not guilty," he added. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."
The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president shared on online platforms insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.
Related Developments
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