Defense to argue Comey understood mob slang in Instagram threat case

Defense to argue Comey understood mob slang in Instagram threat case

Former Gambino underboss Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano told reporters that former FBI director James Comey “had to know” the term “86” is mob slang for killing, and his lawyers intend to raise that point in Comey’s pending federal case. The Justice Department has argued that Comey’s Instagram photo of seashells arranged as “86 47” can be read as a coded threat against President Donald Trump, rejecting claims the prosecution is vindictive. Federal prosecutors in North Carolina have also cited passages from Comey’s crime novel to support the threat allegation, while free-speech group PEN America criticized the government’s use of the novel as improper and a First Amendment concern.

Acteurs

U.S. Department of Justice James Comey President Donald Trump Comey's attorneys Prosecutors

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Washington, D.C., United States

Articles

22 août 2026
2 au total
'Sammy the Bull" tells FBI that James Comey 'had to know' what '86' means
'Sammy the Bull" tells FBI that James Comey 'had to know' what '86' means

Fox News • 22 août 17h51

In a May 2026 interview, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano said former FBI director James Comey “had to know” that the term “86” is mob slang for killing, a point the defense plans to use in Comey’s pending federal case.

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Free speech group calls foul play at prosecutors using Comey novel in case against him
Free speech group calls foul play at prosecutors using Comey novel in case against him

The Guardian • 22 août 16h32

The free-speech organization PEN America said the Justice Department's use of passages from former FBI director James Comey's novel to support a criminal charge is inappropriate and raises First Amendment concerns.

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19 août 2026
3 au total
Book him: Prosecutors using James Comey’s novel against him in seashells case
Book him: Prosecutors using James Comey’s novel against him in seashells case

NBC News • 19 août 19h38

Federal prosecutors in North Carolina have referenced former FBI director James Comey's crime novel to argue that his Instagram post of seashells forming the number 8647 constituted a true threat against President Trump.

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DOJ says Comey’s 8647 seashells post was a threat to kill Trump
DOJ says Comey’s 8647 seashells post was a threat to kill Trump

CNBC • 19 août 17h58

Federal prosecutors say an Instagram photo of seashells posted by former FBI director James Comey can be interpreted as a coded threat to kill President Donald Trump, and they oppose his motion to dismiss the indictment.

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Justice Department defends James Comey prosecution in Trump threat case
Justice Department defends James Comey prosecution in Trump threat case

AP News • 19 août 12h12

The Justice Department argued that former FBI director James Comey's Instagram photo of seashells arranged as “86 47” could be reasonably interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump, rejecting claims the case is vindictive.

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