Overview
- U.S. District Judge William Fitzpatrick in Virginia ordered the government to give James Comey’s defense grand jury materials in an exceptional move issued Monday night.
- The judge’s 24-page opinion cites a disturbing pattern of deep investigative errors that may have undermined the grand jury’s integrity.
- Fitzpatrick faulted the case’s prosecutor, former Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan, for fundamental misstatements of law that could have tainted the proceedings.
- Comey, 64, has pleaded not guilty to charges including making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation after a late-September indictment that followed public pressure from President Trump.
- The ruling signals that one or more counts could be dropped if misconduct is confirmed, as Comey seeks dismissal and faces a potential five-year sentence if convicted.