Comey's lawyers seek to block Justice Department prosecution

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

Former FBI Director James Comey's lawyers will ask a federal judge to block a third criminal case against him.

Former FBI Director James Comey's lawyers will ask a federal judge on Friday to block the Justice Department from pursuing a third criminal case against him. The Trump administration bypassed a grand jury and filed charges this month over allegations of a decade-old news media leak that was previously investigated. Comey's lawyers have called the case legally invalid, arguing the manoeuvre was improper. The Justice Department says it was an effort to extend the legal time limit for seeking a grand jury indictment.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump nominee, was expected to hear arguments on Friday. Comey says he is innocent of the allegations. The effort to prosecute Comey is part of a series of investigative actions the department has undertaken ahead of next week's midterm elections.

Comey was fired by Trump in May 2017 while overseeing an investigation into whether Trump's presidential campaign conspired with Russia in the 2016 election. The two men have been bitterly at odds since, with Comey likening Trump to a corrupt mafia don in a book he published. Trump has accused Comey of treason and called for his imprisonment. A first criminal case against Comey, filed in federal court in Virginia and accusing him of lying to Congress in 2020, was dismissed by a judge who concluded the prosecutor was illegally appointed.

How it is being reported

• Lawyers for ex-FBI Director James Comey will ask a judge to block Justice Department prosecutionFormer FBI Director James Comey's lawyers will ask a federal judge to block the Justice Department from pursuing its third criminal case against the outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and frequent target of the Republican’s outrage.Clickorlando · 30 Oct, 11:17
• Lawyers for ex-FBI Director James Comey will ask a judge to block Justice Department prosecutionFormer FBI Director James Comey's lawyers will ask a federal judge to block the Justice Department from pursuing its third criminal case against the outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and frequent target of the Republican’s outrage.News4Jax · 30 Oct, 11:17

In this story: James Comey · Donald Trump · Trevor McFadden · Justice Department · FBI · Washington

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