Crime · Chicago, IL
Ex-FBI Chicago Chief Sues DOJ Over Failed Protester Prosecutions
Douglas DePodesta, former head of the FBI's Chicago field office, filed a lawsuit Monday against Justice Department officials claiming he was forced out after being blamed for failed prosecutions in the "Broadview Six" case. The six were charged with felony obstruction during protests at an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, but charges were dropped in May after a grand jury twice refused to indict them. DePodesta alleges U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros pressured prosecutors to bring politically motivated charges before gathering evidence. A federal judge ordered fact-finding into communications between Boutros' office and DOJ leadership at an Oct. 1 hearing.