Former FBI Head James Comey Files Denial Plea to Charges of Misleading Congress

Former FBI head James Comey has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's legal representative entered the plea acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would attempt to have the proceedings dismissed for several reasons including that his defendant, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the court they intended to present multiple legal requests to throw out the legal matter before a trial, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to handle the case.

Mr Comey's case was first handled by the original attorney, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the court recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he informed the court.

Previous Events

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first administration as president. At the moment, Mr Comey was leading an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from Democrats when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against the candidate were not pursued, leading to negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors claim the former director provided false information to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he misled the Senate by stating he had not authorized an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also allege James Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

In a video the former director shared to his social media after he was indicted, he declared he was not guilty and alleged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"We have understood for a long time that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against James Comey surfaced after Donald Trump shared on social media insisting on his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and others.