DOJ files document to halt Comey clock

The US Justice Department filed a criminal information in Washington federal court on Monday to stop the ten-year statute of limitations from expiring on a new case against former FBI Director James Comey.

The filing, unsealed at the request of Comey's attorneys, charges Comey with transmitting and conspiring to transmit national defense information. The document alleges he shared classified details with a New York Times reporter in October 2016.

A Justice Department spokesperson called the move a widely recognized practice in federal court. The agency stated that the matter remains an ongoing criminal investigation and declined to comment further.

This third legal action follows two prior cases. In the first, a judge dismissed charges that Comey lied to Congress about media leaks. The second case, alleging he threatened President Donald Trump in a social media post, remains pending.

Comey's attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said in a statement that the document purports to charge his client with crimes that he did not commit. Fitzgerald and his team have asked a judge to dismiss the case as legally improper.

Comey addressed the news in an Instagram video, stating that the Justice Department is back again. He added that he is still innocent. The criminal information was originally filed on October 5 but became public only this week.