WASHINGTON – A federal judge has uncovered significant investigative flaws in the Justice Department’s handling of the indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, calling for all grand jury materials to be shared with the defense. This decision, handed down on Monday, highlights a series of errors that threaten the case’s integrity.

Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick outlined several issues, including inaccurate legal interpretations presented to the grand jury by a prosecutor, the questionable use of privileged communications during the investigation, and irregularities within the grand jury transcript. These concerns raise questions about the fairness and legality of the proceedings against Comey, who was indicted in September.

Judge Fitzpatrick acknowledged the rarity of granting such relief to the defense, stating, “The record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.” His ruling underscores the severity of the procedural flaws in this high-profile case.

With this 24-page opinion, the Comey indictment faces yet another hurdle, adding to existing challenges which include claims of an improper appointment of the interim U.S. attorney, Lindsey Halligan, and accusations of a vindictive prosecution. These issues have become a focal point for Comey’s legal team, who argue that the prosecution was tainted from the start.

Concerns about the grand jury process have been central to Comey’s defense strategy. His legal team has questioned the competence of Halligan, who was thrust into the role shortly before presenting the case to the grand jury. Halligan’s lack of prosecutorial experience and her ties as a former White House aide have further fueled skepticism about the motivations behind the indictment and the integrity of the legal proceedings.