Judge in Comey case scolds prosecutors as he orders them to produce records from probe

"U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick instructed prosecutors to produce by the end of the day on Thursday grand jury materials and other evidence that investigators seized during the investigation. The order followed arguments in which Comey's attorneys said they were at a disadvantage because they had not been able to yet review information that was collected years ago as part of an investigation into FBI media leaks."

"Comey, who attended the hearing but did not speak, is charged with lying to Congress in 2020 in a case filed days after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies. Comey has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have argued that it's a vindictive prosecution brought at the direction of the Republican president and must be dismissed."

"Comey's defense lawyers had already asked for a transcript of grand jury proceedings, citing irregularities in the process and potential legal and factual errors that they said could result in the dismissal of the case. Fitzpatrick on Wednesday ordered prosecutors to produce grand jury materials and also directed them to give defense lawyers evidence seized through search warrants in 2019 and 2020 from Daniel Richman, a Columbia University law professor and close friend of Comey."

A federal magistrate judge ordered prosecutors to produce grand jury materials and evidence seized during the investigation by Thursday. The judge expressed concern that the Justice Department appeared to have 'indict first' and investigate later. Comey is charged with lying to Congress in 2020 and pleaded not guilty. His lawyers argue the prosecution is vindictive and politically directed and seek dismissal. Defense attorneys said they lacked access to information from years-old FBI leak probes and requested grand jury transcripts citing procedural irregularities and possible legal and factual errors. The judge directed production of evidence seized from Daniel Richman via 2019-2020 search warrants.

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