Previous FBI Head James Comey Files Denial Plea to Accusations of Misleading US Legislators

Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would attempt to have the case thrown out for various causes including that his defendant, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was indicted just days after Donald Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they aimed to present various petitions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the prosecution was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to assume control of the case.

Mr Comey's legal matter was initially handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into another rival - the New York official - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in good spirits as he walked into the court on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, his wife and child his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

After listening to the magistrate read his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about several months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the period, Mr Comey was leading an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys assert James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted an individual at the agency to leak to news outlets information about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, hinder and impede" the committee by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media James Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are costs to challenging the former president," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a court case."

These allegations against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump published on social media calling for his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, charge James Comey and other people.