A federal magistrate has thrown out criminal cases against former FBI chief James Comey and New York's top prosecutor Letitia James, finding that the interim appointment of the US Attorney who brought the charges violated legal standards. Both defendants had maintained that the indictments represented political retribution orchestrated through the Justice Department.
Comey faced allegations of providing false testimony to Congress and impeding justice, accusations he disputed while demanding his day in court. The ex-bureau director, who served from 2013 until his dismissal early in the Trump presidency, became a target after the administration revived scrutiny of his handling of investigations tied to Hillary Clinton's email practices and Russian election meddling.
James expressed relief at the dismissal, vowing to continue her work defending state interests without intimidation from what she characterized as meritless prosecution.
Comey faced allegations of providing false testimony to Congress and impeding justice, accusations he disputed while demanding his day in court. The ex-bureau director, who served from 2013 until his dismissal early in the Trump presidency, became a target after the administration revived scrutiny of his handling of investigations tied to Hillary Clinton's email practices and Russian election meddling.
James expressed relief at the dismissal, vowing to continue her work defending state interests without intimidation from what she characterized as meritless prosecution.
