A federal judge on Monday delivered a stunning blow to politically charged cases targeting former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, dismissing their indictments over procedural missteps that undermined the authority of the prosecutor handling the cases.
Improper Appointment of Prosecutor Dooms Cases
U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was not properly appointed. Halligan had secured both indictments shortly after the ouster of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, raising questions about the legitimacy of her authority.
“I agree with Mr. Comey that the attorney general’s attempt to install Ms. Halligan as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District was invalid,” Judge Currie wrote. “And because Ms. Halligan had no lawful authority to present the indictment, I will grant Mr. Comey’s motion and dismiss the indictment.”
The rulings dismiss both indictments without prejudice, allowing the government to potentially refile charges at a later date.
