Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed Columbia law professor Daniel Richman, a close associate and former adviser to ex-FBI Director James Comey, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into whether Comey may have lied during his 2020 congressional testimony. Richman previously played a central role in publicizing memos Comey wrote about his meetings with then-President Donald Trump, acting as an intermediary between Comey and the press.

The memos became a focal point after Comey’s 2017 dismissal, with one being shared with The New York Times. Trump later accused Comey of leaking classified information, although Richman maintained that the memos lacked classification markings. A prior Justice Department review faulted Comey for policy violations but found no classified material, and no charges were brought at the time.

The latest legal developments suggest renewed scrutiny of Comey’s past actions, particularly his handling of the Russia investigation. The subpoena to Richman relates to testimony Comey gave in September 2020 concerning the FBI’s conduct during the early stages of the probe into Trump’s 2016 campaign. Comey has consistently denied wrongdoing or political bias in the matter.

Meanwhile, current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino recently stated that agents uncovered documents from the Comey era that had not gone through proper processing channels. Though he didn’t reveal details, Bongino described the materials as improperly stored and possibly significant. Efforts are underway to declassify them, though the process involves coordination with multiple agencies.

Comey also drew attention online after posting an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to spell “8647,” which some speculate was a cryptic message aimed at Trump. The number “86” can imply removal or elimination, while “47” is often associated with Trump as the 47th president.

Whether these developments lead to further legal consequences remains uncertain, but Comey’s role continues to prompt investigation and public debate.