Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted for False Statements and Obstruction
September 25, 2025
A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James B. Comey Jr. on two felony counts, alleging he made false statements to Congress and obstructed a Senate investigation in 2020.
Comey, in a recorded statement released on Instagram, declared his innocents and said he had faith in the federal judicial system. Comey said he and his family will not live on our knees. “Let’s have a trial, keep the faith,” he said.
The indictment, filed Thursday, accuses Comey of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) by knowingly making a materially false statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 30, 2020. Prosecutors allege that Comey falsely testified he had not authorized anyone at the FBI to act as an anonymous source in news reports concerning an FBI investigation into an unnamed individual referred to in court documents as “Person 1.”
According to the indictment, Comey had in fact authorized another individual, identified as “Person 3,” to serve as an anonymous source in media coverage related to the investigation. The government contends that Comey was aware of this authorization at the time of his testimony.
The second count charges Comey with obstruction of a congressional proceeding under 18 U.S.C. § 1505. Prosecutors allege that Comey “corruptly endeavored to influence, obstruct and impede” the Senate Judiciary Committee’s inquiry by making false and misleading statements during the same hearing.
The indictment does not name Person 1 or Person 3, and it remains unclear whether additional charges or disclosures are forthcoming. The document was filed under seal in accordance with the E-Government Act and later made public.
indictment-of-ComeyComey, who served as FBI director from 2013 until his dismissal in 2017, has not publicly responded to the charges. His legal team did not immediately return requests for comment.
The Senate Judiciary Committee was conducting oversight related to FBI procedures and media disclosures at the time of the alleged offenses. The indictment does not specify which news reports were involved or the nature of the investigation concerning Person 1.
The charges carry potential penalties of up to five years in prison for each count. Legal experts note that prosecutions under Section 1001 and Section 1505 often hinge on the materiality of the statements and the intent to obstruct official proceedings.
The Department of Justice has not indicated whether it will seek pretrial detention or what timeline it anticipates for arraignment. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
The indictment was signed by Lindsey Halligan, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment beyond the contents of the filing.
As of publication, no additional defendants have been named in connection with the case.
This article adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, including principles of accuracy, fairness, and transparency. All allegations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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