{"id":2500853,"date":"2025-10-20T04:56:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T08:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-prosecutors-seek-disqualification-issue-for-james-comeys-defense-lawyer\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T04:58:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T08:58:30","slug":"federal-prosecutors-seek-disqualification-issue-for-james-comeys-defense-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-prosecutors-seek-disqualification-issue-for-james-comeys-defense-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal prosecutors seek \u2018disqualification issue\u2019 for James Comey\u2019s defense lawyer\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffederal-prosecutors-seek-disqualification-issue-for-james-comeys-defense-lawyer%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2500853&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Federal prosecutors have filed a motion seeking too remove Patrick Fitzgerald, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/defense-lawyer-kyle-rittenhouse-suffers-from-ptsd-is-in-therapy\/\" title=\"Defense Lawyer: Kyle Rittenhouse Suffers from PTSD, Is in Therapy\">lead defense attorney<\/a> for former FBI Director James Comey, from representing Comey in his upcoming federal criminal trial. The prosecutors argue that Fitzgerald may have a conflict of interest because he allegedly helped leak Comey&#8217;s memos to the media in 2017, some of which contained classified facts. This issue was highlighted in a Department of Justice Inspector General report that found Comey had violated FBI policies related to the handling of these memos.<\/p>\n<p>Comey was indicted in September 2025 on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice linked to his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the FBI&#8217;s inquiry into President Donald Trump and Russian collusion. Prosecutors have requested an expedited ruling on their motion to implement a &#8220;filter protocol&#8221; to review potentially protected evidence related to Fitzgerald&#8217;s alleged involvement in the leaks. This protocol would help determine whether Fitzgerald&#8217;s participation in the case poses a conflict that could justify his disqualification.<\/p>\n<p>comey&#8217;s defense team is expected to file motions, including a request to dismiss the charges, before his trial begins on january 5, 2026, in the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Federal prosecutors seek &lsquo;disqualification issue&rsquo; for James Comey&rsquo;s defense lawyer&nbsp;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2376074\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The lead defense attorney of former FBI Director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-comey\/\">James Comey<\/a> could be removed from representing Comey in his upcoming federal criminal trial if prosecutors get their way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lawyers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/26190529-comeyfiltermot101925\/\">filed<\/a> a motion on Sunday night claiming that Patrick Fitzgerald, Comey&rsquo;s attorney, could have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/10\/19\/james-comey-lawyer-criminal-case-00615102\">conflict<\/a> of interest resulting from previous actions in which he allegedly helped leak the former FBI director&rsquo;s memos to the media in 2017.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3856612\/artillery-debris-from-usmc-celebration-damages-highway-patrol-vehicle\/\">Artillery debris from USMC 250th anniversary celebration damages highway patrol vehicle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3856595\/centrist-rodrigo-paz-wins-bolivia-presidential-runoff\/\">Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia&#8217;s presidential runoff, topping right-wing rival<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3856554\/trump-teases-new-colombia-tariff-drug-trafficking\/\">Trump teases new Colombia tariff over drug trafficking<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Comey was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3825597\/grand-jury-indicts-former-fbi-director-james-comey\/\">indicted<\/a> by a grand jury in Sept. 2025 on two charges: one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice. His indictment stems from his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate-judiciary-committee\">remarks<\/a> to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020 about the FBI&rsquo;s role in the investigation of President Donald Trump and Russian collusion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>U.S Attorney <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3817143\/trump-nominates-lindsey-halligan-top-virginia-prosecutor\/\">Lindsey Halligan<\/a> and assistant attorneys N. Tyler Lemons and Gabriel Diaz requested U.S. District Judge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3825776\/biden-appointed-judge-assigned-to-comey-case-after-indictment\/\">Michael Nachmanoff<\/a> for an expedited ruling on the government&rsquo;s motion for the &ldquo;implementation of a filter protocol&rdquo; to analyze information about Fitzgerald&rsquo;s alleged connection to the leak of the memos, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/1038582\/yes-comey-did-leak-classified-information\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/durham-has-hundreds-of-emails-between-fusion-gps-and-reporters\/\" title=\"Durham Has Hundreds of Emails Between Fusion GPS and Reporters\">included classified information<\/a><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The evidence for filter review could also inform a potential conflict and disqualification issue for the current lead defense counsel,Patrick Fitzgerald,&rdquo; prosecutors said, according to court documents.<\/p>\n<p>A filter protocol permits lawyers to review evidence quickly for the &ldquo;identification, segregation, and disclosure of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-judge-to-appoint-special-master-to-oversee-fbi-review-of-trump-records\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Judge To Appoint Special Master To Oversee FBI Review Of Trump Records\">potentially protected material<\/a>.&rdquo; Prosecutors asserted that such a step was necessary because such protected material could prove pertinent in Comey&rsquo;s trial and contain &ldquo;exculpatory or inculpatory evidence relevant to the defense and the government.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8203;&#8203;&rdquo;Based on publicly disclosed information, the defendant used current lead defense counsel to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >improperly disclose classified information<\/a>,&rdquo; read court documents. The prosecution then cited the Department of Justice&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1966340\/read-the-full-doj-inspector-general-report-on-james-comey\/\">inspector general report<\/a> as evidence to support its claim.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Michael Horowitz, the Inspector General at the time, claimed in his report that Comey &ldquo;violated Department or FBI policy, or the terms of Comey&rsquo;s FBI Employment Agreement. As described in this report, we conclude that Comey&rsquo;s retention, handling, and dissemination of certain Memos violated Department and FBI policies, and his FBI Employment Agreement.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Horowitz would eventually criminally refer Comey to the Department of Justice for his conduct, but the agency decided not to prosecute.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3853981\/trump-democracy-promotion-iran-strikes-gaza-peace-deal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>TRUMP REPUDIATES 25 YEARS OF FAILED DEMOCRACY PROMOTION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This fact raises a question of conflict and disqualification for current lead defense counsel,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/26190529-comeyfiltermot101925\/\">read<\/a> the official filing. &ldquo;Some of the communications in the potentially protected material are from the same time as the focus of the DOJ OIG report. Before litigating any issue of conflict or disqualification, the parties should have access to all relevant and non-privileged information. The sooner that the potentially protected information is reviewed and filtered, the sooner the parties can make any appropriate filings with the Court.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Comey&rsquo;s lawyers are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/10\/19\/james-comey-lawyer-criminal-case-00615102\">slated<\/a> to file their first motions in the case on Monday and expected to request a dismissal, according to POLITICO. His trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 5, 2026, at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prosecutors seek to disqualify Comey&#8217;s lead defense lawyer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2500854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25281535222884_d5f301.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[65515,65516,32631,51149,32285],"class_list":["post-2500853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-defense-lawyer","tag-disqualification-issue","tag-federal-prosecutors","tag-james-comey","tag-legal-case"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25281535222884_d5f301.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2500853"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2500858,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500853\/revisions\/2500858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2500854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2500853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2500853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2500853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}