The flashpoint was the Justice Department’s failure to turn over seized communications from a confidant of Mr. Comey’s, Daniel C. Richman, a law professor at Columbia University.

Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A federal magistrate judge in Virginia on Wednesday accused the Justice Department of indicting former FBI Director James Comey before investigating his alleged wrongdoing.

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered prosecutors in the criminal case of former FBI Director James Comey to produce to defense lawyers a trove of materials from the investigation, saying he was concerned the Justice Department’s position had been to “indict first" and investigate second. U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick instructed prosecutors to produce by the end of the day on Thursday grand jury materials and other evidence that investigators seized during the investigation.

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered prosecutors in the criminal case of former FBI Director James Comey to produce to defense lawyers a trove of materials from the investigation, saying he was concerned the Justice Department’s position had been to “indict first" and investigate second. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick instructed…

Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick instructed prosecutors to produce by the end of the day on Thursday grand jury materials and other evidence that investigators seized during the investigation.

A federal judge has ordered prosecutors in the criminal case of former FBI Director James Comey to produce materials from the investigation, saying he’s concerned the Justice Department’s position had been to “indict first" and investigate second.

A federal judge on Wednesday warned the Justice Department it may be veering close to mishandling evidence in its criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey.