DOJ takes steps to charge James Comey again

The Justice Department took steps to charge James Comey with leaking information earlier this month, court records show, in its third attempt to bring criminal charges against the former FBI director and Trump foe.

Prosecutors are seeking to charge Comey with two counts of violating the Espionage Act by transmitting national defense information to a person not entitled to receive it. He has not been indicted by a grand jury or charged by criminal complaint, and was instead targeted through an information, a charging document that is typically used for defendants who plan to plead guilty. 

In this case, the information was filed in order to preserve the statute of limitations before it expires, according to a Justice Department spokesperson. The official added that “this is an ongoing criminal investigation, and we will not comment further.”

Comey’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said Comey “steadfastly maintains his innocence.”

This is a breaking story; it will be updated.