Ex-FBI chief James Comey faces federal charges for third time
Comey's lawyers say the case stems from alleged disclosure of classified information to the New York Times in 2016.
Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with leaking national defence information, according to a court filing.
This is the third time the justice department has filed criminal charges against Comey, who has long been a critic of President Donald Trump.
The three-page court filing gives few details about the two counts, but Comey’s lawyers said in separate court papers that the case arose from an alleged disclosure of classified information to the New York Times in October 2016, when he was leading the FBI.
Comey denied wrongdoing in a video posted on Substack on Monday, describing the charges as an "appalling abuse".
"It would almost be funny if it weren't such an appalling abuse of the department of justice, one that we cannot become numb to," he said in the clip.
"Nothing's changed with me - I'm still innocent, I'm still not afraid of these people and I still believe the independent federal judiciary."
His lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, said in a statement that two separate teams of prosecutors had examined the alleged disclosure to the New York Times a decade ago during the first Trump administration.
"Both times the Government determined that no charges should be brought against anyone," he said.
The attorney said the court filing "purports to charge Mr Comey with crimes that he did not commit".