🔗 Share this article

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative submitted the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney stated he would attempt to have the proceedings terminated for multiple causes including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was indicted just days after Donald Trump urged his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald told the court they planned to submit various motions to dismiss the proceedings before a trial, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully assigned to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's legal matter was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who left his position under pressure from Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to file indictments.

Legal Setting

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was joined by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the magistrate read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the allegations.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

While in office, James Comey caused a counter-response from the Democratic party when he announced just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing criticism from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors claim James Comey provided false information to the legislature during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the upper house by saying he had not authorized someone at the FBI to release to journalistic entities information about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and slow" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording the former director shared to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have known for considerable time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against the former director came after Donald Trump posted on digital channels demanding his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute the former director and others.