🔗 Share this article

Ex- FBI director James the former director has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative submitted the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would seek to have the legal matter terminated for various factors including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the magistrate they aimed to present multiple legal requests to dismiss the legal matter before a court case, claiming the government's case was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to take over the case.

Mr Comey's case was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into another rival - NY AG Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he entered the court on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration recently fired.

After listening to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the court.

Previous Events

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was leading an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were never brought, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government allege the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the upper house by claiming he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to journalistic entities information about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also allege the defendant of "improperly attempting to affect, hinder and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media Mr Comey posted to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of acting like a "dictator".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

These allegations against James Comey emerged after Trump shared on digital channels insisting on his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.