In a new Netflix documentary titled “Martha,” homemaking icon Martha Stewart takes aim at former FBI Director James Comey. The film delves into her 2004 federal obstruction of justice trial and five-month prison sentence. Stewart, now 83, reflects on her experience with sharp words.
“It was so horrifying to me that I had to go through that to be a trophy for these idiots in the U.S. Attorney’s office,” Stewart says in the documentary, which debuted on Oct. 30. Her remarks highlight her frustration with the legal ordeal that began five years after she became the first self-made female billionaire in 1999.
James Comey, who later led the 2016 Russia investigation into Donald Trump, was the prosecutor behind Stewart’s 2003 indictment. She faced charges of obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI during an insider trading probe involving her friend’s company, ImClone.
“I was a trophy—a prominent woman, the first billionaire woman in America,” Stewart says in the film. Her anger is evident as she adds, “Those prosecutors should have been put in a Cuisinart and turned on high.”
Comey, at a 2003 news conference, insisted the case was about truth. “This case is about lying—lying to the FBI, lying to the SEC and investors,” he said. “That is conduct that will not be tolerated. Martha Stewart is being prosecuted not because of who she is, but what she did.”
However, Stewart’s late attorney, Robert Morvillo, questioned the motives behind the charges. “Is it because she is a woman who has successfully competed in a man’s business world by virtue of her talent, hard work, and demanding standards?” he asked, implying that Stewart’s celebrity status played a role in the case.
Craig Greening, a criminal defense attorney, shares a similar perspective. “The Southern District of New York is notorious for prosecuting high-profile individuals and leveraging their cases to send a broader message,” he told Fox News Digital. He believes Stewart’s case fit this pattern, adding, “One could argue that her punishment felt more about creating an example than ensuring justice.”
Greening acknowledged the charges were valid based on the evidence. However, he pointed out that the government’s shift to obstruction of justice charges was a strategic move. “It underscores the role of discretion in targeting public figures,” he said, noting the tactic is common when primary charges are hard to prove.
In a New York Times interview following the documentary’s release, Stewart downplayed the significance of her trial. “The trial and the actual incarceration was less than two years out of an 83-year life,” she said. Calling it “a vacation,” she revealed her indifference to the legal drama’s lasting impact.
Greening understands Stewart’s frustration. “Her anger is understandable,” he said. “Being a self-made billionaire and a woman in power likely magnified the scrutiny she faced. The severity of her punishment also supports her frustration.”
Director R.J. Cutler, who helmed “Martha,” described her as a visionary and cultural icon. “She is a personification of her times and such an American success story,” he said in a statement. Stewart’s influence, he added, stems from her ability to blend content and personal branding before others recognized their potential.
Cutler emphasized Stewart’s complexity. “She is a complex person filled with so many conflicts and contradictions,” he said. The documentary highlights her resilience and enduring legacy, offering a closer look at the life of a groundbreaking entrepreneur.