Justice Department admits grand jury did not review final Comey indictment

"The admission comes as lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey sought to dismiss the criminal charges against him. The United States Department of Justice has acknowledged that the grand jury reviewing the case against James Comey, a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), did not receive a copy of the final indictment against him. That revelation on Wednesday came as lawyers for Comey sought to have the indictment thrown out of court."

"At a 90-minute hearing in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, Comey's lawyers argued that the case should be dismissed outright, not only for the prosecutorial missteps but also due to the interventions of President Donald Trump. Comey is one of three prominent Trump critics to be indicted between late September and mid-October. The hearing took place before US District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, and Comey's defence team alleged that Trump was using the legal system as a tool for political retribution."

"The Justice Department, represented by prosecutor Tyler Lemons, maintained that the indictment met the legal threshold to be heard at trial. But Lemons did admit, under questioning, that the grand jury that approved the indictment had not seen its final draft. When Judge Nachmanoff asked Lemons if the grand jury had never seen the final version, the prosecutor conceded, That is my understanding."

The Department of Justice acknowledged the grand jury that reviewed the case against James Comey did not receive the final indictment. Comey's lawyers sought dismissal of the criminal charges at a 90-minute hearing in Alexandria, citing prosecutorial missteps and alleged interventions by President Donald Trump. The defense argued the indictment represented political retribution and asked the court to dismiss the case outright. Prosecutor Tyler Lemons said the indictment met the legal threshold but conceded the grand jury had not seen the final draft. Comey has pleaded not guilty to two charges and his team is challenging the case's irregularities.

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