James Comey: FBI Director Indicted, Controversies, Net Worth

James Comey has lived several public lives — federal prosecutor, FBI director, best-selling author, and now a criminal defendant. The 6-foot-8 former leader of the bureau was indicted in 2025 on charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction, a case that pits the Justice Department against one of the most recognizable figures in modern law enforcement.

Born: December 14, 1960 ·
FBI Director Tenure: 2013–2017 ·
Height: 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) ·
Number of Children: 5 ·
Net Worth: $10 million (estimated)

Eight key details about James Comey’s background and current legal situation:

What exactly did James Comey do?

How did James Comey become FBI director?

Comey, a registered Republican who served as Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005, was nominated by President Barack Obama to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013 (U.S. Department of Justice). He was confirmed by the Senate and took office on September 4, 2013. His tenure was defined by high‑profile investigations that drew bipartisan criticism.

The first major crisis came in 2016 when the FBI investigated Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. Comey publicly announced in July that the bureau would not recommend charges, then reopened the probe in late October — 11 days before the election — after discovering new emails on a device belonging to former Congressman Anthony Weiner (LiveNOW from FOX).

What was the Comey letter and why did it matter?

On October 28, 2016, Comey sent a letter to Congress informing lawmakers that the FBI was reviewing additional emails related to the Clinton investigation (LiveNOW from FOX). The move broke with Justice Department protocol, which typically avoids actions that could influence an election. Clinton and her allies have argued the letter cost her the presidency. Trump, who defeated Clinton, praised Comey at the time but later turned on him.

Why was James Comey fired?

President Trump fired Comey on May 9, 2017, while Comey was in Los Angeles speaking to FBI employees. The White House initially cited Comey’s handling of the Clinton email probe, but Trump later told NBC News he was thinking of “this Russia thing” when he decided to dismiss the director (LiveNOW from FOX). The firing triggered the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The firing thrust the FBI into the center of a partisan firestorm that still burns. Comey became a symbol of institutional independence to some and of bureaucratic overreach to others.

What false statement did Comey make?

What was the charge against James Comey?

A federal grand jury indicted Comey in 2025 on two counts: making a false statement to a Senate committee and obstruction of a congressional investigation (U.S. Department of Justice). According to the DOJ, the false‑statement count alleges Comey said under oath that he never authorized anyone at the FBI to serve as an anonymous source for a reporter about the Russia investigation.

The obstruction count stems from accusations that he concealed his alleged authorization. Prosecutors internally worried the case could quickly unravel under judicial scrutiny, according to ABC News.

Did James Comey plead guilty?

No. Comey appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty to both counts (ABC News). His legal team has argued the charges are politically motivated and that Comey’s testimony was truthful.

Career prosecutors concluded the evidence would fail to convince a jury and might not even meet probable cause (ABC News). Yet Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the indictment as a triumph of accountability (U.S. Department of Justice).

What has happened to James Comey now?

Is James Comey currently in legal trouble?

Yes. He faces an active federal indictment that will likely dominate headlines for the next year. The case is assigned to a federal judge; pretrial motions are expected in 2026. Meanwhile, Comey remains free on conditions and continues his professional activities (ABC News).

What is James Comey doing professionally?

Comey has reinvented himself as a writer and public speaker. His 2018 memoir “A Higher Loyalty” became a bestseller, and he has since turned to fiction. His thriller “Red Verdict” was published in 2025 (ABC News). He also posts regularly on Instagram, offering insights on leadership and the rule of law.

What illness does James Comey have?

Has James Comey publicly disclosed any health condition?

No credible reports of a serious illness have been published. Rumors occasionally surface on social media, but none have been confirmed by Comey’s family or doctor. The closest is anecdotal speculation about stress-related issues — hardly unusual for someone under public and legal pressure.

What is the source of the illness rumor?

Unsubstantiated online chatter, often linked to his legal battles. Without a verified source from Comey or a medical authority, these rumors remain speculative. The ABC News reporting on his case makes no mention of health problems.

What does 86 mean to the FBI?

What is the origin of the FBI code 86?

“86” is not an official FBI code. It originated in the restaurant industry as slang for “remove” or “cancel” an item — e.g., “86 the steak” means the dish is no longer available. Law enforcement officers sometimes use it informally to mean “discontinued” or “stop,” but the FBI does not have a formal 86 code in its official radio or signals manual (U.S. Department of Justice).

How is 86 used in law enforcement?

In casual police work, “86” may signal that a suspect is to be removed from a location or that an operation is halted. However, in the FBI’s structured communication system, the term has no standardized meaning. The confusion likely arises from pop culture or local jargon, not from bureau policy.

Timeline: James Comey’s career and legal crossroads

• 1960 – Born in Yonkers, New York.
• 1987 – Graduates from University of Chicago Law School (U.S. Department of Justice).
• 2003-2005 – Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush.
• 2013 – Confirmed as 7th FBI Director.
• October 28, 2016 – Sends letter to Congress reopening Clinton email probe (LiveNOW from FOX).
• May 9, 2017 – Fired by President Trump.
• 2018 – Publishes memoir “A Higher Loyalty.”
• 2025 – Indicted on false statement and obstruction charges; publishes thriller “Red Verdict” (U.S. Department of Justice; ABC News).
• 2025-2026 – Arraignment; not guilty plea; pretrial motions pending (ABC News).

Consensus, uncertainty, and quotes

Quotes: two sides of a story

“It’s a sad day for the FBI and for the country.”

— James Comey, on his firing (via LiveNOW from FOX)

“Comey was a terrible director and should be ashamed of himself.”

— President Donald Trump (via LiveNOW from FOX)

“The evidence would be insufficient to convince a jury to convict Comey at trial.”

— Internal DOJ assessment reported by ABC News

For the DOJ, the Comey case represents a high‑stakes gamble: pursue a politically charged prosecution that career prosecutors consider weak, or drop it and face accusations of selective justice. The next few months will reveal whether the evidence holds up or collapses — and with it, the credibility of an institution still healing from the battles of 2016–2017.

The cryptic seashell message that sparked a federal threat investigation is covered in detail elsewhere in our separate report.

Frequently asked questions