WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is contesting a court order that limits its access to crucial evidence in its pursuit of a new indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. Issued by a federal judge, the order temporarily bars access to computer files belonging to Daniel Richman, a close friend of Comey and a key figure in the investigation.
This legal challenge arises after Richman filed a motion for the return of his files, which federal prosecutors believe contain significant information related to Comey’s alleged misconduct in dealing with the media during the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails.
Prosecutors argue that Richman's request serves to obstruct their investigation. They contend that U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly overstepped her authority by restricting the department from accessing evidence essential for potential charges against Comey, who was previously indicted for making false statements to Congress.
The Justice Department asserts that their efforts are being hindered by Richman’s strategy, which they describe as an attempt to suppress evidence in the ongoing case. However, Richman’s lawyers argue that the Justice Department unlawfully maintained possession of his files following a closed investigation into media leaks.
The judge temporarily sided with Richman, requiring the return of his files while also allowing further argumentation on the matter. The tension between the prosecution and defense continues to grow as both sides prepare for the next stages of this significant legal battle.
