Summary
A federal judge blocked the Justice Department from using emails and files they took from James Comey's former lawyer, saying this likely violated constitutional rights. The judge ordered the DOJ to stop using the data until further notice, making it harder to pursue a case against Comey. The DOJ's attempts to reinstate charges against Comey face legal challenges and an approaching deadline.
Key Facts
- A judge stopped the DOJ from using emails and files taken from Daniel Richman, James Comey's former lawyer.
- The judge said the DOJ probably violated Richman's constitutional rights by keeping and searching his computer files without permission.
- This decision makes it more complicated for the DOJ to restart a case against Comey.
- The decision is temporary and the DOJ must confirm it follows the judge's order.
- Another judge had described the seized files as key to the prosecution's case, which was dismissed a month earlier.
- The earlier case against Comey was about lying to Congress and obstructing an investigation but was dismissed due to issues with the prosecutor's appointment.
- There's pressure as the statute of limitations, the time limit to charge someone, approaches its end.
- The DOJ has not yet appealed the dismissal of Comey's case.
