FBI interviews Gambino underboss to probe Comey's knowledge of mob slang

Federal investigators spoke with Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, the former underboss of the Gambino crime family, to ascertain if James Comey was aware of the mob definition of “86.” During a recorded 25-minute call in May 2026, Gravano asserted that Comey, who led the 1990s prosecution of John Gambino, “had to know” the phrase meant “to get rid of” or kill. This testimony is cited by Comey’s lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, in motions to dismiss a criminal case that accuses Comey of threatening President Donald Trump through a May 2025 Instagram post displaying seashells spelling “8647.”

Prosecutors allege the post encoded a call to kill Trump, with “86” signifying murder and “47” referencing Trump as the 47th president. Gravano clarified he never talked about the slang with Comey and that a review of Gambino case materials revealed no references to “86.” The Department of Justice has filed two federal counts—threatening the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce—against Comey. Comey maintains he did not intend any violent message and removed the post after criticism.