🔗 Share this article

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's lawyer submitted the plea representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would seek to have the case dismissed for several factors including that his defendant, a critic of former President Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they intended to submit several legal requests to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully designated to take over the legal matter.

James Comey's proceedings was initially handled by the original attorney, who left his position under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - the New York official - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, conversing with his attorneys and making jokes. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen, a US lawyer who the previous administration dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he comprehended the allegations.

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

Previous Events

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into the former president's first term as president. At the time, Mr Comey was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Russia and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were never brought, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors assert the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the upper house by stating he had not permitted an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to journalistic entities details about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, hinder and delay" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are costs to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "So let's have a court case."

The charges against James Comey came after Trump published on social media demanding his top legal official, Pam Bondi, charge Mr Comey and others.