Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick blasted Department of Justice attorneys for adopting an "indict first, investigate later" posture in a case against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress.
During a Wednesday hearing, Fitzpatrick demanded that the Justice Department turn over grand jury materials and other evidence gathered during the investigation into Comey.
Attorneys for the former FBI director told the judge that they were at a disadvantage because the government failed to produce records gathered years ago.
Comey was charged with making false statements to Congress just days after President Donald Trump used a social media post to demand that he be prosecuted. The former FBI director has pleaded not guilty.