Comey charged over 2016 classified leak

The US Justice Department filed a new criminal information against former FBI Director James Comey on October 5. The filing remains part of a third federal prosecution against the former official. Court documents unsealed on Monday detail the specific allegations in this latest case.

The government accuses Comey of transmitting and conspiring to transmit national defense information. The charge alleges he shared classified material with a New York Times reporter in October 2016. The department stated that filing the information was necessary to stop the ten-year statute of limitations from running out earlier this month.

Comey has faced two prior charges from the Justice Department. A judge dismissed the earlier case involving alleged false statements to Congress about media leaks. The second case, which alleges he threatened President Donald Trump in a social media post, remains pending before the court.

Patrick Fitzgerald, Comey's attorney, said the document purports to charge his client with crimes that he did not commit. Fitzgerald and his team requested the unsealing of the document on Monday. They have also asked a judge to dismiss the case as legally improper.

Comey responded to the news in an Instagram video. He said they are back again and referred to the Justice Department. He added that he is still innocent. A department spokesperson called the move to halt the statute of limitations a widely recognized practice in federal court. The spokesperson said the matter is an ongoing criminal investigation and that the department will not comment further.