Comey indicted over 2016 NYT leak as DOJ races 10-year statute

The Department of Justice moved to halt the statute of limitations in a new case against former FBI Director James Comey on October 5, filing a document in federal court to prevent the 10-year clock from expiring. The action keeps a third prosecution alive regarding events from 2016, adding to the legal pressure already mounting against the former director.

The criminal information alleges Comey transmitted and conspired to transmit national defense information. Specifically, the filing claims he shared classified details with a New York Times reporter in October 2016. A Justice Department spokesperson described the procedural move to freeze the deadline as a widely recognized practice in federal court, noting that the investigation remains ongoing.

Comey responded to the news via an Instagram video, stating that the Department of Justice is back again. He asserted his innocence but offered no further details about the specific allegations in the newly unsealed documents. His legal team has already asked a judge to dismiss the case, arguing that the filing is legally improper.

This development marks the third federal case against Comey. Previous charges accused him of lying to Congress about media leaks and threatening President Donald Trump in a social media post. A judge dismissed the false statements case earlier, while the threats case remains pending in court.

Patrick Fitzgerald, Comey's lawyer, issued a statement saying the document purports to charge his client with crimes he did not commit. Fitzgerald’s team requested the unsealing of the file on Monday, making the October 5 filing public. The Justice Department said it would not comment further on the investigation beyond confirming its status.