Third federal prosecution: DOJ has charged James Comey again over alleged national-defense information conspiracy
New federal charges
The charges accuse Comey of transmitting national defense information and conspiring to do so. They mark his third federal case. The article does not specify when prosecutors brought the charges. It identifies the defendants’ alleged conduct as involving classified information.
Prosecutors describe their case
In a filing unsealed Monday, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak said investigators examined Comey’s response to what he viewed as inaccurate press coverage. The filing refers to a Reuters article published the previous day.
Farahnak wrote that Comey directed staff to raise accuracy concerns with Mr. Savage. Prosecutors allege this led to an illegal transfer of classified information.
Comey and timing dispute
Comey said he remains innocent and expressed confidence in the independent federal judiciary. “I’m still not afraid of these people,” he said. A filing argues that the case is time barred because the government had 10 years to secure a grand jury indictment. The article does not identify who made that argument.
Key points
- Comey faces charges of transmitting national defense information and conspiring to transmit it.
- The prosecution is his third federal case.
- Prosecutors allege Comey directed staff to raise concerns about a Reuters report with Mr. Savage.
- A filing argues the case is time barred under a 10-year limit.