United States of America v. James B. Comey, Jr.

Alexandria, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with making false statements within the jurisdication of the legislative branch of the United States Government.

18 U.S.C. § 1001 is the federal statute making it a crime to knowingly and willfully make false statements, conceal material facts, or use false documents in matters within the jurisdiction of the U.S. government's executive, legislative, or judicial branches, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment, covering everything from lying to an FBI agent to providing false info to Congress or federal agencies>

It's known as the general false statements statute, applying to oral or written statements in investigations, applications, or congressional hearings.


Prohibited Acts: Falsifying, concealing, covering up (by trick/scheme), or making false/fraudulent statements or using false documents.
Jurisdiction: Applies to matters within any U.S. federal agency or branch (executive, legislative, judicial).
Intent: Requires the act to be done "knowingly and willfully".
Penalties: Fines and/or imprisonment (up to 5 years, longer for terrorism-related offenses).

Examples of Violations

Lying to an FBI agent during an interview.
Providing false information to the IRS, OIG, or other federal investigators.
Submitting false documents to federal agencies or Congress.

Key Elements

Materiality: The false statement or concealment must concern a "material fact".

Federal Nexus: Must be in a matter within U.S. government jurisdiction.

Exclusions: Doesn't generally apply to parties or counsel in judicial proceedings for statements made within that proceeding.

Dismissed12/22/2025 218 Transmission of Notice of Appeal to 4CCA as to James B. Comey, Jr. to US Court of Appeals re 217 Notice of Appeal (All case opening forms, plus the transcript guidelines, may be obtained from the Fourth Circuit's website at www.ca4.uscourts.gov) (jlan) (Entered: 12/22/2025)
12/22/2025 219 USCA Case Number 25-4674 4th Circuit, Case Manager A. Walker for 217 Notice of Appeal filed by USA. (wgar, ) (Entered: 12/22/2025)