Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

The FBI just botched DOJ’s entire case against James Comey: legal expert

alternet.org · 1hShare

The FBI may have just botched the Justice Department's case against former FBI Director James Comey, a long-time legal expert wrote on Wednesday. The DOJ's case hinges on the claim that Comey knew the term "86" means to assassinate someone. So, when he posted the photo to his Instagram of seashells on a beach reading "86-47," he was promoting violence against the president. Comey later released a video making it clear that his only exposure to the term "86" was in the restaurant industry, such as to cancel an order, clear plates or kick someone out. According to Lawfare's Roger Parloff, the FBI scoured the world of cases for proof that gangsters used “86” to mean “kill." The extent to which the agents searched in an effort to find evidence was extensive. Parloff collected the details into a timeline of activities showing just how little they were able to uncover. "So early on, those who saw — or were ordered to see — what Comey did in a criminal light developed a theory," said Parloff.

First report: Legal firepower from Chicago plays pivotal role in bid to dismiss Comey case tied to Instagram post — abc7chicago.com, 1d