Columbia Law School professor Daniel Richman is a close friend of former FBI Director James Comey. Image by YouTube

By Aiden Pink June 8, 2017

Former FBI Director James Comey revealed in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday that he had instructed a friend to share the contents of memos he wrote summarizing his meetings with President Trump with the media, because he “thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel.” Shortly thereafter, that friend, Daniel C. Richman, revealed his identity to reporters.

Richman is a professor at Columbia Law School and a former New York federal prosecutor and consultant to the Justice and Treasury departments. His bio on Columbia’s website lists him as an advisor to Comey, who worked as a New York prosecutor at the same times as Richman. The New York Times described Richman as a “longtime confidant and friend” who “helped woo” Comey to take a research position at Columbia in 2013.

Richman has frequently defended Comey in the media. In a November interview with the Times, Richman criticized those who questioned Comey’s choice about informing Congress of a new inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s email conduct shortly before the election, and last month he denounced Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein (who wrote the memo used to justify Comey’s firing), telling Politico that Rosenstein was “a useful patsy.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Richman is married to freelance writer and consultant Alexandra Bowie and has two adult children.

Contact Aiden Pink at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount