Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey Files Innocent Plea to Allegations of Misleading Lawmakers

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

The former director's attorney filed the plea representing him in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the case dismissed for various causes including that his the accused, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to present multiple petitions to throw out the case before a court case, stating the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to handle the proceedings.

James Comey's legal matter was originally handled by the original attorney, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his examination into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his attorneys and making jokes. He was supported by his spouse, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he comprehended the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about four months into Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the time, he was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just days before the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were never brought, causing negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim the former director provided false information to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he deceived the Senate by stating he had not authorized an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to media organizations data about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also charge James Comey of "wrongfully trying to sway, hinder and slow" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording the former director published to his social media after he was accused, he declared he was innocent and charged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"We have been aware for years that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after Donald Trump posted on digital channels calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.