🔗 Share this article

Ex- FBI chief James the former director has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's attorney submitted the plea on his behalf in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple factors including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was charged shortly after Trump pressured his top legal official to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they intended to submit multiple petitions to terminate the legal matter before a trial, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a US attorney was wrongfully appointed to take over the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - the New York official - failed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was joined by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the former government terminated.

After listening to the court state his rights and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he comprehended the charges.

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

Background Context

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about several months into the former president's first administration as president. At the moment, Mr Comey was directing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

While in office, the director caused a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government assert the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he misled the legislative body by saying he had not approved an individual at the agency to leak to media organizations information about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

In a video Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have been aware for years that there are ramifications to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "Thus initiate a trial."

These allegations against the former director surfaced after Donald Trump published on digital channels calling for his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge the former director and others.