Judge Halts Use of Seized Evidence in Comey Case Amid New Indictment Consideration

A federal judge has temporarily barred prosecutors from using evidence seized from Daniel Richman in the dismissed case against former FBI Director James Comey. This comes amid the Justice Department's consideration of new charges against Comey, complicating the legal landscape.

A federal judge temporarily blocked prosecutors Saturday from using evidence seized from Daniel Richman, complicating the dismissed criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey. Court documents reveal that the Department of Justice is still weighing further charges.

Richman, a law professor and former attorney for Comey, filed a lawsuit claiming his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when investigators confiscated material from his electronic devices in 2019 and 2020. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly believes Richman may succeed on his claim that the government unlawfully retained and searched his personal computer files without a warrant.

Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered the government to secure Richman's seized materials and restricted their access until next week. The injunction coincides with potential new indictments following the original case's dismissal last month due to the unlawful appointment of lead prosecutor Lindsey Halligan.

(With inputs from agencies.)