🔗 Share this article

Previous FBI director James Comey has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His lawyer submitted the plea acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for several reasons including that his the accused, a critic of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged soon after Trump pushed his attorney general to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they intended to submit multiple petitions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was improperly designated to take over the proceedings.

The former director's case was initially managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under scrutiny from the former president after his investigation into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to file indictments.

Legal Setting

James Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Upon hearing to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the charges.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the proceedings.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about several months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the period, he was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against the candidate were never brought, causing disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys allege the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not permitted an individual at the FBI to disclose to news outlets data about the government examinations.

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

Personal Comments

Through a recording the former director posted to his social media after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged the former president of acting like a "dictator".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "So let's have a court case."

These allegations against James Comey emerged after the former president published on social media calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.