A federal judge in Washington on Friday considered whether the Justice Department may continue its latest criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, as his lawyers sought dismissal on statute-of-limitations grounds.
The Justice Department alleges Comey unlawfully gave national defense information to The New York Times in 2016, according to WashingtonSun.com. Prosecutors did not obtain a grand jury indictment within the reported 10-year limitations period and instead unsealed a criminal information, the outlet reported. Comey’s lawyers argued prosecutors should already have secured an indictment.
Judge Trevor McFadden questioned whether he should decide the timing challenge while prosecutors may present more evidence to a grand jury, according to the Washington Examiner. The Hill described the case as the administration’s third attempt to prosecute Comey over the alleged disclosure. McFadden is weighing whether to dismiss the case.