Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey Files Not Guilty Plea to Allegations of Falsehoods Congress

James Comey court appearance
The former director has asserted his non-guilt concerning the indictments

Previous FBI head James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

The former director's lawyer submitted the response on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for various factors including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was charged soon after Trump urged his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to submit multiple legal requests to dismiss the legal matter before a court case, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his probe into a different opponent - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director seemed in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, speaking with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and child his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

After listening to the magistrate state his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he grasped the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the court.

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from four years and was dismissed about four months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, Mr Comey was directing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director triggered a backlash from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys claim the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not approved a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to journalistic entities data about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also allege Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, block and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey posted to his online platform after he was charged, he stated he was not guilty and charged Trump of acting like a "dictator".

"We have known for a long time that there are ramifications to challenging the former president," he commented. "We choose not to live on our knees."
"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a court case."

These allegations against the former director came after Donald Trump published on online platforms demanding his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge the former director and additional individuals.

Related Developments

  • Former FBI director James Comey indicted on pair of allegations
  • What charges does ex-FBI director James Comey encounter?
Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.