Former FBI Director James Comey is expected to face indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia in the coming days, according to an MSNBC report citing three sources.
“The full extent of the charges being prepared against Comey is unclear, but the sources believe that at least one element of the indictment–if it goes forward–will accuse him of lying to Congress during his testimony on September 30, 2020 about whether he authorized a leak of information,” an MSNBC reporter wrote on X.
The statute of limitations for lying to Congress (perjury or false statements) is reportedly a factor: Comey’s 2020 testimony may bring the five-year limit into play, though some legal experts have argued he could also be accused of conspiracy for perpetuating the alleged lie beyond the initial five-year limit.
The full scope of the charges remains unclear. The reports suggest that the leak-related issue may not be the only basis — prosecutors may include additional allegations tied to classified information or conduct associated with Comey’s time in office, Reuters reported.
The alleged leak in question appears tied to whether Comey authorized the release of certain information to the public or media without proper oversight, raising questions about accountability and classification rules, said reports.
The potential indictment is being prepared in the Eastern District of Virginia, said Reuters.
Political context is already feeding scrutiny around motivations. Some observers note the timing, given that an acting U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia recently resigned—reportedly after internal pressure regarding the Comey prosecution, the report said.