🔗 Share this article

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's legal representative entered the plea on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would try to have the case terminated for several reasons including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative informed the court they intended to file multiple motions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was improperly designated to assume control of the proceedings.

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

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the charges.

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

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey caused a negative reaction from Democrats when he declared just shortly prior to the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Clinton were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the upper house by saying he had not permitted an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

In a video Mr Comey posted to his online platform after he was indicted, he said he was wrongly accused and accused Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for years that there are costs to opposing the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

The charges against James Comey emerged after Donald Trump posted on online platforms insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and others.