Comey Hit With Third Federal Case Over 2016 Leak to New York Times

The Department of Justice has filed a third federal prosecution against former FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of leaking sensitive national security information in 2016. The new action stems from a criminal information filed in a Washington, D.C. federal court. This filing stops the ten-year statute of limitations from expiring on the specific offense.

The government alleges that Comey transmitted and conspired to transmit national defense information. Prosecutors assert he shared classified details with a reporter from The New York Times in October 2016. This claim forms the central charge in the latest legal proceeding.

Justice Department officials explained that the document was submitted to preserve the government's ability to prosecute. The deadline for this charge had passed earlier this month. A spokesperson described the maneuver as a widely recognized practice in federal courts. The department stated the matter is part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

The criminal information was initially filed on October 5. It remained sealed until this week. Comey's legal team requested the unsealing of the document on Monday. This allowed the public to view the specific details of the new charges for the first time.

Comey responded to the news in a video posted on Instagram. He stated that the Justice Department is back again. He declared that he is still innocent. His legal team has moved to have the case thrown out, arguing the prosecution is legally improper.

Patrick Fitzgerald, Comey's attorney, released a statement criticizing the filing. Fitzgerald asserted that the document purports to charge Comey with crimes he did not commit. The attorney's comments followed the unsealing of the court documents.

This case joins two previous legal actions against the former director. Earlier charges alleged that he lied to Congress regarding media leaks and threatened President Donald Trump in a social media post. A judge dismissed the case involving false statements. The case concerning threats to the President remains pending in court.

The Justice Department indicated it would not offer further comment on the specifics of the case at this time. The filing marks the most recent development in a prolonged legal battle between Comey and federal prosecutors. The defense and prosecution are now expected to engage in further legal maneuvers to determine the next steps.