Former FBI Director James Comey Submits Innocent Plea to Charges of Falsehoods US Legislators

James Comey court appearance
Comey has asserted his innocence concerning the charges

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer filed the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would try to have the legal matter terminated for various causes including that his defendant, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was charged just days after Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they aimed to submit various legal requests to throw out the case before a court case, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to assume control of the legal matter.

Mr Comey's proceedings was initially handled by the original attorney, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Failor and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

Following the reading to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the charges.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the proceedings.

Previous Events

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about several months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the period, the director was directing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey triggered a negative reaction from Democrats when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was probing Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Indictments against the candidate were not filed, leading to negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the upper house by saying he had not authorized someone at the agency to release to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also allege Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and delay" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Via social media the former director published to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have known for a long time that there are ramifications to standing up to Mr Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."
"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

The charges against James Comey emerged after the former president posted on social media demanding his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.

Connected Matters

  • Former FBI director James Comey charged on two charges
  • Which accusations does former director James Comey face?
Victoria Curtis
Victoria Curtis

A seasoned business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital marketing and entrepreneurship.