Try GOLD - Free
A twisting path led to indictment of ex-FBI chief
Los Angeles Times
|September 28, 2025
Statement against Comey is only two pages and alleges he gave false testimony.
KEN CEDENO Pool Photo
FORMER FBI Director James Comey is sworn in via teleconference before testifying at a hearing in 2020.
The indictment of former FBI Director James Comey is only two pages and alleges he falsely testified to Congress in 2020 about authorizing someone to be an anonymous source in news stories.
That brevity belies a convoluted and contentious backstory. The events at the heart of the disputed testimony are among the most heavily scrutinized in the bureau's history, generating internal and congressional investigations that have produced thousands of pages of records and transcripts.
Those investigations were focused on how Comey and his agents conducted high-stakes inquiries into whether Russia had unlawfully colluded with Republican Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton and her use of a private email server while she was secretary of State.
Here are some things to know about that period and how they fit into Comey's indictment:
What are the allegations?
The indictment alleges that Comey made a false statement in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The single quote from the indictment appears to be from an interaction with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Prosecutors contend that Comey lied when he denied having authorized anyone at the FBI to be an anonymous source to the media, alleging he had done so by telling someone identified as "Person 3" in the indictment to speak to reporters.
"It's such a bare-bones indictment," said Solomon Wisenberg, a former federal prosecutor and now a defense attorney in private practice. "We do not know what the evidence is going to be" at trial, he said.
What did Comey say to Congress?
This story is from the September 28, 2025 edition of Los Angeles Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Israel’s president condemns West Bank attacks
‘Shocking’ settler violence targeting Palestinians must end, Isaac Herzog says.
4 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
Climate gives Newsom a world stage
The potential presidential contender grabs global spotlight as he positions California as a stand-in for U.S. at Brazil summit
6 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
U.S. stocks drift around records as chipmaker AMD surges 9%
Stocks drifted around their records in a mixed day of trading on Wednesday.
1 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
More roads led to Rome than was previously thought
As the saying went, all roads once led to Rome — and those roads stretched 50% longer than previously known, according to a new digital atlas published Thursday.
2 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
The Alchemist has been living at a higher speed
The hip-hop producer opens up about his evolution ahead of Camp Flog Gnaw set.
5 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
States miss deadline in talks on Colorado River
Negotiators on water sharing note progress, but lawmaker criticizes 'upstream neighbors'
3 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
Edison must be held accountable
Re \"Edison blackouts increase sharply,\" Nov. 10
1 min
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
Can this bar bring back DTLA's nightlife?
[Bar Franca, from E1] high hopes, but they also need a little bit of help,\" Alvarez said. \"We're doing our best to have people back on the streets, from all corners and all sensibilities, coming and being like, 'I want to hang out in downtown.' But how do we take care of it? How do we get there?
5 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
Holiday shoppers expect 14% less cheer
Shoppers in Los Angeles are turning to more affordable brands, seeking deals and making their own presents to save money this holiday season, as many tighten their purse strings in anticipation of a weak economy.
2 mins
November 13, 2025
Los Angeles Times
Easy prey for ID thieves: Foreign scholars
L.A. ring targets those who moved on after U.S. stints, expert says
5 mins
November 13, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size