FBI Chicago lawsuit: Douglas DePodesta says he was forced out after Broadview Six case

Former FBI Chicago field office head Douglas DePodesta says he was wrongly blamed for failed prosecutions linked to the Broadview Six case and forced to step down. His lawsuit names senior Justice Department officials, alleging politically driven charging decisions tied to Operation Midway Blitz and an internal effort to shift responsibility after the case fell apart.

Douglas DePodesta, the former leader of the FBI’s Chicago field office, said a wrongful blame campaign cost DePodesta the job. In a lawsuit filed Monday, DePodesta said senior Justice Department officials forced the exit after a protest case collapsed. DePodesta said FBI Director Kash Patel wanted DePodesta fired, and DePodesta stepped down this summer.

DePodesta, a 24-year FBI veteran, alleged prosecutors drove politically motivated cases during Chicago’s immigration crackdown. DePodesta said charges were pursued before evidence was gathered. “I saw the writing on the wall,\” DePodesta told The Associated Press on Monday. DePodesta blamed Andrew Boutros for pressure that ended DePodesta’s FBI role.

Operation Midway Blitz protest prosecutions and dropped charges

Federal prosecutors charged about 30 protesters linked to Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration enforcement push. Many cases were later dropped or dismissed. DePodesta’s lawsuit said Boutros faced Justice Department pressure during the crackdown. The suit said the pressure focused on filing felony counts against protesters across the Chicago area.

According to DePodesta’s attorneys, Boutros sent emails pushing FBI investigations into people opposing the Trump administration. The suit said Boutros urged charges before lawyers reviewed objective evidence. It also alleged Boutros sought felonies when other prosecutors preferred misdemeanours. In some instances, the suit said, they supported no charges at all.

Broadview Six case collapse and grand jury refusals

In October, Boutros’ office charged six people in the Broadview Six case. Prosecutors alleged a felony conspiracy to obstruct a federal officer. The charge related to a protest at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. The facility is in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago.

Court transcripts later showed a grand jury twice refused to indict the six people. The judge ordered prosecutors to remove transcript redactions before release. The transcripts also described a highly unusual speech Boutros gave to jurors. In May, Boutros dropped all charges as the court moved to examine possible misconduct.

Justice Department pressure claims and FBI leadership response

DePodesta’s lawsuit said Boutros blamed DePodesta to shield Boutros’ own malfeasance. DePodesta said Boutros complained to superiors in Washington after the case failed. DePodesta said DePodesta rejected those claims to FBI leadership. The suit said FBI leaders admitted politics drove the decision to force DePodesta out.

The suit said Boutros told Justice Department leaders that DePodesta and Nancy DePodesta conspired. Nancy DePodesta is an attorney representing one former defendant, Michael Rabbitt. Nancy DePodesta confirmed to the AP that Nancy DePodesta is Douglas DePodesta’s sister-in-law. The suit said the alleged plan aimed to destroy the case.

\”There is no one at the FBI who took their oath of office and their ethical and moral responsibilities more seriously than Doug,\” Nancy DePodesta said in a statement to the AP. \”It is both heartbreaking and shameful that he was forced out of his position based on what appear to be utterly false rumors spread by Boutros,\” Nancy DePodesta added.

Broadview Six prosecutor resignation and court fact-finding

In late September, a prosecutor on the Broadview Six case resigned without warning. The prosecutor wrote a harsh resignation letter accusing Boutros of scapegoating and publicly vilifying the prosecutor. The prosecutor also asked the court to treat the prosecutor as an independent party going forward. The move added to scrutiny around the case.

The former defendants asked US District Judge April Perry to appoint a special counsel. They wanted an outside review of possible prosecutorial misconduct. At an Oct. 1 hearing, Perry ordered more fact-finding. The review focused on communications between Boutros’ office and Justice Department leadership in Washington.

Boutros’ office declined to comment on the lawsuit and related claims. The FBI and the Justice Department, both named in the suit, did not respond immediately. DePodesta maintained the exit was not voluntary and tied to political pressure. The dispute now sits before the courts as inquiries around the Broadview Six continue.

With inputs from PTI