Former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey speaks at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics’ JFK Jr. Forum in Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 24, 2020. Charles Krupa/AP
The principal prosecutor assigned to oversee the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, which stems from his posting of seashells that the Justice Department asserts constituted a threat against President Donald Trump, has stepped down from the matter, according to a court submission.
Matthew Petracca was the sole prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina designated for this case when it was made public late in the previous month.
On Friday evening, however, the Justice Department submitted a notification to the court stating that Petracca has been succeeded by assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo.
The department provided no justification for this change in the high-profile case.
Comey’s legal representatives are anticipated to mount a strong effort to get the case dismissed prior to a potential trial through various legal arguments.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department has not yet responded to a request for remarks from ABC News.
This is an evolving narrative. Kindly revisit for further updates.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com