Federal Judge Orders Grand Jury Disclosure in Comey Case

A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, ruled Monday that the Justice Department committed significant investigative errors in securing an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, ordering prosecutors to disclose all grand jury materials to his defense team.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, overseeing pretrial matters in the case, described the proceedings as marked by a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps" that potentially compromised the integrity of the grand jury process. In a 24-page opinion, Fitzpatrick cited fundamental misstatements of law by the lead prosecutor to the grand jury, the possible use of privileged attorney-client communications during the investigation, and irregularities in the transcript of the September indictment proceedings. He noted that such relief—full disclosure of grand jury materials—is rarely granted but was warranted here due to the severity of the issues raised by Comey's lawyers.

The indictment, returned in September, charges Comey with obstruction of justice and making false statements in connection with his 2020 congressional testimony. Comey has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled to...