The allegations come a few days after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, publicly urged the Minister of Justice, Pam Bondi, to take action against, among others, James Comey.
In total, he is suspected of two crimes, which basically concern the testimony he gave to the Senate. He is accused of having lied when he was questioned in September 2020, and of having hindered an investigation, reports BBC.
Trump speaks out
Donald Trump strongly attacks Comey on his platform Truth Social after the allegations became known. The American president calls the former FBI chief "harmful" and "corrupt" without further describing what he is referring to.
"One of the worst people this country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the corrupt former head of the FBI," Trump claims.
Trump fired Comey in 2017, in the middle of an investigation into whether any members of Trump's election campaign had collaborated with Russia to influence the presidential election the year before.
"Know what it costs"
In a video clip on Instagram, James Comey claims to be innocent. He says he welcomes a trial.
My family and I have known for years that it costs to stand up to Donald Trump, he said.
This summer, James Comey's daughter, Maurene Comey, was fired from her job as a federal prosecutor. His son-in-law resigned from a similar post after the allegations against Comey became known.
The allegations against Comey come after a jury has determined that there is sufficient evidence to potentially lead to a conviction. He was also suspected of a third crime, but those allegations were dismissed by the jury.
Comey risks up to five years in prison if he is convicted, according to federal prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, who was appointed by Trump just a few days ago.
