Ex- FBI Head James Comey Submits Not Guilty Plea to Allegations of Misleading US Legislators

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer submitted the plea acting as his counsel in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would try to have the legal matter terminated for several causes including that his the accused, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was indicted soon after the former president urged his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they planned to present several motions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, arguing the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully appointed to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's legal matter was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his probe into an additional political adversary - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the court on Wednesday, conversing with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he comprehended the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the court.

Previous Events

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first administration as president. At the moment, he was overseeing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors assert James Comey provided false information to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not permitted a person at the agency to disclose to journalistic entities data about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, hinder and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording James Comey published to his online platform after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

These allegations against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump published on social media demanding his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and other people.