Investigators also interviewed a key government cooperator in the case, Salvatore Gravano, who said he did not recall ever discussing the term "86" with Comey or hearing it in connection with the trial. Defense lawyers say the search warrant affidavits were marred by "false statements," including what they say were incorrect insinuations that one of Comey's attorneys had sought to hide evidence or that his wife had misled investigators. Defense lawyers say the case is rooted in Trump's personal animusIn addition, defense lawyers say the warrant applications distort statements made to investigators by a person who knew Comey but has now been estranged from him for years. But the FBI's own investigation determined Giuliani's claims to be untrue, defense lawyers said. Trump fired Comey in May 2017 as the FBI was investigating potential ties between Russia and Trump's presidential campaign.