Lead prosecutor on Comey's 'seashells' case withdraws without explanation
The lead prosecutor on the case against former FBI Director James Comey has withdrawn without providing an explanation. Matthew Petracca was the sole prosecutor assigned to the case, which involves allegations related to Comey's post of seashells that the Justice Department claims posed a threat to President Trump. He has been replaced by assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo, and Comey's attorneys are expected to challenge the case vigorously.
- ▪Matthew Petracca was the lead prosecutor on the case against James Comey.
- ▪The Justice Department filed a notice indicating Petracca's withdrawal and Severo's replacement.
- ▪No explanation was provided for the change in prosecutors.
3 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 2 hours. All of the coverage we found sits in one bucket: lean left. That one-sidedness is itself worth noticing.
- ▪ Lead prosecutor leaves DOJ's case accusing James Comey of threatening Trump — CBS News — Top
- ▪ Lead federal prosecutor in James Comey seashells photo case steps aside — NBC News — Top
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| Original publisher | ABC News — Top |
| Canonical URL | https://abcnews.com/Politics/lead-prosecutor-former-fbi-director-comeys-seashells-case/story?id=133437435 |
| Publication time | Fri, 29 May 2026 20:38:18 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-30T00:51:45.367Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-30T00:51:45.367Z |
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| Cluster | ZrGgVdEflihO · 3 stories |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onLead prosecutor on former FBI Director Comey's 'seashells' case withdraws without explanationThe department did not include any explanation for the move.ByAlexander MallinMay 29, 2026, 8:37 PM1:01Former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey speaks at Harvard University's Institute of Politics' JFK Jr. Forum in Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 24, 2020.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News — Top.
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