DOJ nearing decision whether to charge former FBI Director James Comey with lying to Congress, sources say

"(CNN) Federal prosecutors are nearing a decision whether to bring possible perjury charges against former FBI Director James Comey, with a legal deadline expiring on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the investigation. The probe, run by federal prosecutors at the US Attorney's Office for Virginia's eastern district, is examining whether Comey made false statements during his September, 30, 2020, testimony to Congress on his handling of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, people familiar with the matter said."

"Prosecutors, under criminal law, generally would only have five years to the day to bring a charge. If a federal grand jury were to approve the case by next week, it would mark one of the highest-profile indictments of a political figure during President Donald Trump's second term in office and against one of the longtime figures whom Trump and his political allies detest the most from what they call the deep state of the federal government."

"Comey hasn't been charged with a crime and has maintained in testimony that he's been truthful under oath. An attorney representing Comey in the matter hasn't responded to requests for comment from CNN. The Justice Department's decision on bringing charges against Comey has become especially fraught in recent days after Trump fired Erik Siebert, the former US Attorney overseeing the case."

Federal prosecutors in the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia are examining whether James Comey made false statements during his September 30, 2020, congressional testimony about the FBI's handling of the 2016 Russia investigation. Prosecutors generally have five years under criminal law to bring charges, making a decision time-sensitive. A federal grand jury approval next week would create a high-profile indictment against a prominent political figure. Comey has not been charged and maintains he was truthful under oath. An attorney for Comey has not responded to requests for comment. The Justice Department review intensified after President Trump fired Erik Siebert, the prosecutor overseeing the case.

Read at wirehub.medianewsgroup.com