🔗 Share this article

Previous FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and hindering a legislative process.

The former director's legal representative submitted the response on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer declared he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for multiple causes including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was formally accused shortly after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the court they aimed to present multiple legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the legal action was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to handle the case.

James Comey's proceedings was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his examination into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the judge read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the accusations.

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

Previous Events

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as president. At the period, Mr Comey was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against the candidate were never brought, resulting in criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors assert Mr Comey provided false information to the legislature during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he deceived the upper house by saying he had not authorized an individual at the FBI to disclose to news outlets details about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "improperly attempting to influence, obstruct and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video James Comey posted to his social media after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have been aware for considerable time that there are ramifications to challenging Mr Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president published on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute the former director and others.