A U.S. court has dismissed the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, who had been accused of potential misconduct during the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. The ruling was issued by Cameron McGowan Currie, according to a Reuters report on November 24. The judge likewise threw out charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who had faced allegations of bank fraud.
Comey and James argued that Acting Prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, who brought the charges, had been appointed in violation of procedure. The court agreed: according to Currie, Halligan “lacked the legal authority” to initiate the prosecution. At the same time, as CNN notes, other Justice Department prosecutors can still bring the same charges.
Comey was charged with perjury for testimony he gave under oath to Congress in 2020, as well as with obstructing justice in the investigation into Russia’s election interference. According to investigators, James obtained a mortgage on preferential terms, which was classified as fraud. Halligan brought the charges in September, just days after her appointment, becoming the only prosecutor willing to sign the filings after her Justice Department colleagues declined to take part. Lawyers for Comey and James argued that Halligan had secured her position by bypassing established procedures.