Michael Sussmann, the former Perkins Coie partner indicted for making a false statement to the FBI, on Friday pleaded not guilty to the charge during his initial appearance in federal court.

Sussmann appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui of the District of Columbia during an in-person hearing at the D.C. federal courthouse. His attorneys, Latham & Watkins partners Sean Berkowitz and Michael Bosworth, were alongside him. Assistant special counsels Andrew DeFilippis and Michael Keilty were also at the hearing.