Federal prosecutors revealed Monday that they have obtained a series of personal emails showing former FBI Director James Comey closely tracked, and at times encouraged, an associate’s efforts to anonymously shape news coverage in the final stretch of the 2016 election.

The details were contained in a wide-ranging filing submitted by acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan and her deputy, Tyler Lemmons, who told a federal judge their case is rooted in Comey’s own words, not political payback. The lead prosecutors argue the messages directly undercut Comey’s sworn testimony before Congress in September 2020 that he never authorized such communications, and leave little doubt Comey was aware his close confidant Daniel Richman was serving as a conduit to key journalists.