Former FBI Chicago Chief Sues Justice Department Over Dismissal

Douglas DePodesta filed a lawsuit on Monday, Nov. 3, against top Justice Department officials, alleging he was removed as the head of the FBI’s Chicago field office because of the failed prosecution of the Broadview Six.

The suit describes the dismissal of six demonstrators who had been charged with a felony conspiracy in connection with the federal immigration operation known as Operation Midway Blitz. Federal prosecutors initially charged about 30 people during that crackdown, though many of those charges have since been dropped or dismissed.

DePodesta, a 24-year FBI veteran, says he stepped down against his will this summer after superiors informed him that FBI Director Kash Patel wanted him fired. He accused Andrew Boutros, the top federal prosecutor in Illinois, of launching a campaign to shift blame to him after the case unraveled earlier this year.

According to the lawsuit, Boutros pressured his staff to press felony charges before gathering objective evidence. The suit states that Boutros sent DePodesta emails demanding FBI investigations into individuals with political views opposing the Trump administration. It also alleges Boutros told Justice Department leadership that DePodesta and his sister-in-law, Nancy DePodesta, an attorney for one of the defendants, conspired to destroy the case.

A grand jury twice refused to indict the six protesters, despite Boutros urging the jurors and delivering a highly unusual speech. Boutros dropped all charges in May as the court began investigating possible prosecutorial misconduct. In late September, one of the prosecutors on that case resigned, writing in a letter that Boutros had scapegoated and publicly vilified her.

U.S. District Judge April Perry ordered Boutros and three of his assistant attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16 regarding the failed case. Perry noted in her order that there is an adequate factual basis to pursue an inquiry into whether willful false statements were made to the court.

DePodesta said on Monday, “I saw the writing on the wall.” Boutros’ office declined to comment, while the FBI and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nancy DePodesta confirmed her relationship to the former FBI chief and stated in a statement that it was heartbreaking he was forced out based on what appear to be false rumors.