Former Chicago FBI chief Douglas DePodesta sues U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, alleging he was blamed for the Broadview Six collapse; judge orders Boutros to testify
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Former FBI Chicago chief Douglas DePodesta alleges U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros falsely blamed him for the collapse of the Broadview Six prosecution, forcing him out. The same day, Judge April Perry ordered Boutros to testify about his statements to her court.
Read the full background
On Nov. 2, 2026, Douglas DePodesta, who led the FBI's Chicago Field Office from 2024 until he left the bureau in July 2026, sued U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI and the Justice Department in federal court in Chicago. His complaint alleges that Boutros pressed his prosecutors to charge protesters during Operation Midway Blitz after calls from Washington, and that once the Broadview Six prosecution collapsed, Boutros told his superiors that DePodesta and his sister-in-law, defense lawyer Nancy DePodesta, had conspired to destroy the case. DePodesta says Boutros knew that claim was false and that the pressure it created led FBI leaders to order him to resign.
The Broadview Six were six people charged after a September 2025 protest outside an immigration holding facility in suburban Broadview, among them Kat Abughazaleh, then a congressional candidate. A grand jury first declined to indict. Prosecutors returned twice more and obtained an indictment on Oct. 23, 2025. The charges were dropped on May 21, 2026, after Judge April Perry found apparent misconduct by prosecutors before the grand jury.
The complaint also describes an Oct. 7, 2025 meeting at which, it says, Boutros discussed the Broadview Six investigation with Blanche, Patel and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald. On March 30, 2026, Boutros's office had told Perry that there were no communications with anyone outside the office, other than local FBI investigators, about investigatory or charging decisions. Hours after the suit was filed, Perry ordered Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16 about statements made to her court.
Boutros did not comment on the lawsuit, and the Justice Department did not respond to the Chicago Sun-Times. The complaint's allegations have not been tested in court.
People in this case
Andrew BoutrosDirectly involved
April PerryDirectly involved
Kash PatelDirectly involved
Todd BlancheDirectly involved
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 23, 2025 to November 2, 2026
October 2025
Grand jury indicts six people over the Broadview protest after first declining
Prosecutors first presented the Broadview Six case to a grand jury on Oct. 9, 2025, and the grand jury declined to indict. After two more presentations, it returned an indictment on Oct. 23, 2025, against six people charged over a September 2025 protest outside the immigration holding facility in Broadview.
[01]Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times report comparing the U.S. Attorney's Office's March 30, 2026 court filing with the Oct. 7, 2025 meeting described in DePodesta's complaint, with dates of the grand jury presentations.
Former FBI boss' lawsuit undermines Boutros' denial of Washington's role in 'Broadview 6' case · Chicago Sun-TimesMarch 30 filing and Oct. 7, 2025 meeting sections[02]April Perry
Seven-page order by U.S. District Judge April Perry in the closed Broadview Six prosecution. It explains the court's requests for government documents, cites DePodesta's complaint, and orders U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16, 2026.
Order, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 287 · April PerryECF 287, Part I (pages 1 to 5)
March 2026
Prosecutors tell the court there were no outside communications about charging decisions
Claim
In a filing opposing the defendants' request for records of outside political influence, the U.S. Attorney's Office tells Judge April Perry there were no communications with anyone outside the office, other than local FBI investigators, about investigatory or charging decisions, including anyone in the White House or at Main Justice.
[03]U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois
The U.S. Attorney's Office filing that opposed the Broadview Six defendants' request for records of outside influence on the charges. It was filed in U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros's name and signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan, with Matthew Skiba and Andres Almendarez listed.
Government's Response to Defendants' Motion to Compel, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. filed Mar. 30, 2026), ECF 110 · U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of IllinoisECF 110, Parts I and II.A (pages 1 to 4)
May 2026
Broadview Six case collapses after the judge finds apparent grand jury misconduct
The prosecution ends on May 21, 2026, after Judge April Perry finds apparent misconduct by prosecutors before the grand jury. Boutros appears in court that day and tells Perry that no prosecutor acted intentionally in misleading her.
[04]Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times report on DePodesta's lawsuit and Judge April Perry's order the same day. It quotes a statement from Nancy DePodesta and an interview with Douglas DePodesta, and reports that Boutros did not comment and the Justice Department did not respond.
'Broadview 6' case heats up again as ex-FBI boss sues, top federal prosecutor ordered to testify · Chicago Sun-TimesNancy DePodesta statement; Douglas DePodesta interview; Perry order section[02]April Perry
Seven-page order by U.S. District Judge April Perry in the closed Broadview Six prosecution. It explains the court's requests for government documents, cites DePodesta's complaint, and orders U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16, 2026.
Order, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 287 · April PerryECF 287, Part I (pages 1 to 5)
July 2026
DePodesta leaves the FBI's Chicago office; Boutros says the departure was news to him
The Chicago Sun-Times obtains DePodesta's farewell message, in which he writes that standing up for his personnel proved unpopular and that his departure is a consequence of that. The FBI Rapid Response account posts that anyone not on board with the FBI under President Trump is free to leave. Boutros tells reporters the departure was news to him and praises DePodesta's work.
[05]Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times report on DePodesta's July 2026 departure as special agent in charge, with excerpts of his farewell message, the FBI Rapid Response account's post, and Boutros's remarks to reporters that day.
Outgoing Chicago FBI chief tells team to 'keep the FBI mission alive' as speculation swirls about his exit · Chicago Sun-TimesDePodesta farewell message; FBI Rapid Response post; Boutros press conference remarks
November 2026
DePodesta sues Boutros, Patel, Blanche, the FBI and the Justice Department
Source release
DePodesta files a nine-count complaint in federal court in Chicago. It alleges that Boutros falsely blamed him for the Broadview Six collapse and that the resulting pressure forced him to resign, and it describes an Oct. 7, 2025 meeting at which Boutros discussed the investigation with Blanche, Patel and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald.
[06]Douglas DePodesta
Douglas DePodesta's 38-page complaint, filed by his lawyers in federal court in Chicago against U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros (in his official and personal capacities), FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI and the Justice Department. It states DePodesta's allegations, which the defendants have not yet answered in court.
Complaint, DePodesta v. Boutros, No. 1:26-cv-13506 (N.D. Ill. filed Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 1 · Douglas DePodestaECF 1, introduction (paragraphs 1 to 9) and Broadview Six allegations (paragraphs 43 to 59)[04]Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times report on DePodesta's lawsuit and Judge April Perry's order the same day. It quotes a statement from Nancy DePodesta and an interview with Douglas DePodesta, and reports that Boutros did not comment and the Justice Department did not respond.
'Broadview 6' case heats up again as ex-FBI boss sues, top federal prosecutor ordered to testify · Chicago Sun-TimesNancy DePodesta statement; Douglas DePodesta interview; Perry order sectionJudge Perry orders Boutros to testify under oath on Nov. 16
In an order the same day, Perry calls Boutros's statements about the grand jury transcript hard to credit, cites DePodesta's complaint, and orders Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16, 2026, about statements made to the court.
[02]April Perry
Seven-page order by U.S. District Judge April Perry in the closed Broadview Six prosecution. It explains the court's requests for government documents, cites DePodesta's complaint, and orders U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16, 2026.
Order, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 287 · April PerryECF 287, Part I (pages 1 to 5)[04]Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times report on DePodesta's lawsuit and Judge April Perry's order the same day. It quotes a statement from Nancy DePodesta and an interview with Douglas DePodesta, and reports that Boutros did not comment and the Justice Department did not respond.
'Broadview 6' case heats up again as ex-FBI boss sues, top federal prosecutor ordered to testify · Chicago Sun-TimesNancy DePodesta statement; Douglas DePodesta interview; Perry order section
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros falsely told his Justice Department superiors that Douglas DePodesta and his sister-in-law, defense lawyer Nancy DePodesta, conspired to destroy the Broadview Six case, and the pressure Boutros created led FBI leaders to order DePodesta to resign.
What is disputed
DePodesta makes this allegation in his Nov. 2, 2026 complaint. Boutros did not comment on the lawsuit, and the Justice Department did not respond to the Chicago Sun-Times. The defendants have not yet answered the complaint in court.
Sources (2)
- Complaint, DePodesta v. Boutros, No. 1:26-cv-13506 (N.D. Ill. filed Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 1 · Douglas DePodestaECF 1, introduction (paragraphs 1 to 9) and Broadview Six allegations (paragraphs 43 to 59)
- 'Broadview 6' case heats up again as ex-FBI boss sues, top federal prosecutor ordered to testify · Chicago Sun-TimesNancy DePodesta statement; Douglas DePodesta interview; Perry order section
Disputed claim
On Oct. 7, 2025, Andrew Boutros discussed the Broadview Six investigation with Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald at a meeting in DePodesta's Chicago office.
What is disputed
On March 30, 2026, Boutros's office told Judge April Perry that there were no communications with anyone outside the office, other than local FBI investigators, about investigatory or charging decisions in the case. In her Nov. 2 order, Perry wrote that if such a meeting is the kind of discussion the government has alluded to, it would have been covered by her request for records and directly contradicts that assurance.
Sources (4)
- Complaint, DePodesta v. Boutros, No. 1:26-cv-13506 (N.D. Ill. filed Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 1 · Douglas DePodestaECF 1, introduction (paragraphs 1 to 9) and Broadview Six allegations (paragraphs 43 to 59)
- Government's Response to Defendants' Motion to Compel, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. filed Mar. 30, 2026), ECF 110 · U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of IllinoisECF 110, Parts I and II.A (pages 1 to 4)
- Order, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 287 · April PerryECF 287, Part I (pages 1 to 5)
- Former FBI boss' lawsuit undermines Boutros' denial of Washington's role in 'Broadview 6' case · Chicago Sun-TimesMarch 30 filing and Oct. 7, 2025 meeting sections
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 matching responses. Newest first.
Douglas DePodestaFormer special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office, in a complaint filed by his lawyersDirectly involved Before this statement
The complaint says the Broadview Six case disintegrated because of improprieties by federal prosecutors, including Boutros himself, before the grand jury and the court, and that its dismissal brought extraordinary adverse publicity to Boutros's office.
"To deflect attention from his own malfeasance, Boutros began a campaign within the Department of Justice to blame DePodesta for the unraveling of the case."
CondemnedResponding to: U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros falsely told his Justice Department superiors that Douglas DePodesta and his sister-in-law, defense lawyer Nancy DePodesta, conspired to destroy the Broadview Six case, and the pressure Boutros created led FBI leaders to order DePodesta to resign.
Full statement and sources
DePodesta's complaint says that, to deflect attention from what it calls Boutros's own malfeasance, Boutros began a campaign inside the Justice Department to blame DePodesta for the unraveling of the Broadview Six case.
After the statement
The complaint goes on to say that Boutros repeatedly told his superiors in Washington that DePodesta was responsible for the case's disintegration, knowing that was untrue, and that DePodesta's FBI superiors later told him the political pressure was irresistible and ordered him to resign.
Complaint, DePodesta v. Boutros, No. 1:26-cv-13506 (N.D. Ill. filed Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 1 · Douglas DePodestaECF 1, introduction (paragraphs 1 to 9) and Broadview Six allegations (paragraphs 43 to 59)Why this label?
The reference point is Andrew Boutros's conduct in the Broadview Six prosecution and its aftermath, including his office's accounts of it to the court and DePodesta's allegation that Boutros blamed him for the case's collapse. DePodesta's complaint accuses Boutros of shifting the blame for the case's collapse onto him to deflect from his own conduct, a direct criticism of that conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
April PerryU.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, presiding over United States v. Rabbitt, in a written orderDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The order recounts Boutros's statement to the court on May 21, 2026 that he only became aware of the grand jury vouching on April 27 or 28, and says he had by then held the transcript containing it for more than seven months. It adds that on Aug. 4, 2026 he told the court that while he may have been emailed the transcript on Oct. 14, 2025, he was quite certain he did not review it at that time.
"The idea that USA Boutros would have made such a significant decision without reviewing the best evidence available to him about what went wrong in the grand jury is nearly unfathomable."
CondemnedCase context: Former Chicago FBI chief Douglas DePodesta sues U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, alleging he was blamed for the Broadview Six collapse; judge orders Boutros to testify
Full statement and sources
Perry writes that Boutros had to approve presenting the case to the grand jury again after it declined to indict, and that the idea he made that decision without reviewing the best available evidence of what went wrong is nearly unfathomable.
After the statement
Later in the same section, the order concludes that there is more than an adequate factual basis to inquire whether willful false statements were made to the court, and orders Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16, 2026.
Order, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 287 · April PerryECF 287, Part I (pages 1 to 5)Why this label?
The reference point is Andrew Boutros's conduct in the Broadview Six prosecution and its aftermath, including his office's accounts of it to the court and DePodesta's allegation that Boutros blamed him for the case's collapse. Perry criticizes Boutros's account to the court as hard to credit and nearly unfathomable, and finds more than an adequate basis to inquire whether willful false statements were made, with testimony set before she makes findings.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of IllinoisFederal prosecutors in the Broadview Six case, in a filing submitted in U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros's name and signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney William HoganDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The filing responds to the Broadview Six defendants' motion to compel records of any outside political influence on their prosecution, accusations it calls reckless and completely false. It says the indictment was proposed, reviewed and approved without any influence or interference by anyone outside the office.
"Considerations such as defendants' political affiliations, activities, views, or positions were not considered in any way as part of the investigation or charging decisions. Accordingly, there are no communications of any nature from, to, or with anyone outside the USAO (other than the local FBI investigators assigned to the case) regarding any investigatory or charging decisions."
DeniedResponding to: On Oct. 7, 2025, Andrew Boutros discussed the Broadview Six investigation with Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald at a meeting in DePodesta's Chicago office.
Full statement and sources
In a court filing, Boutros's office tells Judge April Perry that the defendants' political views played no role in the charges and that there were no communications with anyone outside the office, other than local FBI investigators, about investigatory or charging decisions.
After the statement
The filing then says this specifically includes anyone in the White House and all components and offices of Main Justice. A footnote says the office first communicated with Main Justice about the defendants' identities only after a draft indictment was approved internally.
Government's Response to Defendants' Motion to Compel, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. filed Mar. 30, 2026), ECF 110 · U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of IllinoisECF 110, Parts I and II.A (pages 1 to 4)Why this label?
The reference point is Andrew Boutros's conduct in the Broadview Six prosecution and its aftermath, including his office's accounts of it to the court and DePodesta's allegation that Boutros blamed him for the case's collapse. The filing says outright that no outside communications about investigatory or charging decisions occurred and that the defendants' politics played no role. It was filed seven months before DePodesta's lawsuit and does not address his allegations.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(6)
Original text
Complaint, DePodesta v. Boutros, No. 1:26-cv-13506 (N.D. Ill. filed Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 1
Relevant passage: ECF 1, introduction (paragraphs 1 to 9) and Broadview Six allegations (paragraphs 43 to 59)
About this source
Douglas DePodesta's 38-page complaint, filed by his lawyers in federal court in Chicago against U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros (in his official and personal capacities), FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI and the Justice Department. It states DePodesta's allegations, which the defendants have not yet answered in court.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Outgoing Chicago FBI chief tells team to 'keep the FBI mission alive' as speculation swirls about his exit
Relevant passage: DePodesta farewell message; FBI Rapid Response post; Boutros press conference remarks
About this source
Chicago Sun-Times report on DePodesta's July 2026 departure as special agent in charge, with excerpts of his farewell message, the FBI Rapid Response account's post, and Boutros's remarks to reporters that day.
- Author
- Jon Seidel
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Former FBI boss' lawsuit undermines Boutros' denial of Washington's role in 'Broadview 6' case
Relevant passage: March 30 filing and Oct. 7, 2025 meeting sections
About this source
Chicago Sun-Times report comparing the U.S. Attorney's Office's March 30, 2026 court filing with the Oct. 7, 2025 meeting described in DePodesta's complaint, with dates of the grand jury presentations.
- Author
- Jon Seidel
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
'Broadview 6' case heats up again as ex-FBI boss sues, top federal prosecutor ordered to testify
Relevant passage: Nancy DePodesta statement; Douglas DePodesta interview; Perry order section
About this source
Chicago Sun-Times report on DePodesta's lawsuit and Judge April Perry's order the same day. It quotes a statement from Nancy DePodesta and an interview with Douglas DePodesta, and reports that Boutros did not comment and the Justice Department did not respond.
- Author
- Jon Seidel
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Government's Response to Defendants' Motion to Compel, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. filed Mar. 30, 2026), ECF 110
Relevant passage: ECF 110, Parts I and II.A (pages 1 to 4)
About this source
The U.S. Attorney's Office filing that opposed the Broadview Six defendants' request for records of outside influence on the charges. It was filed in U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros's name and signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan, with Matthew Skiba and Andres Almendarez listed.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Order, United States v. Rabbitt, No. 1:25-cr-00693 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 2, 2026), ECF 287
Relevant passage: ECF 287, Part I (pages 1 to 5)
About this source
Seven-page order by U.S. District Judge April Perry in the closed Broadview Six prosecution. It explains the court's requests for government documents, cites DePodesta's complaint, and orders U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify under oath on Nov. 16, 2026.
- Published
- Accessed
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- Publisher
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- Title
- Former Chicago FBI chief Douglas DePodesta sues U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, alleging he was blamed for the Broadview Six collapse; judge orders Boutros to testify
- First published
- Last updated
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- https://disputeindex.com/cases/former-chicago-fbi-chief-depodesta-sues-boutros-broadview-six
The Dispute Index. "Former Chicago FBI chief Douglas DePodesta sues U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, alleging he was blamed for the Broadview Six collapse; judge orders Boutros to testify". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/cases/former-chicago-fbi-chief-depodesta-sues-boutros-broadview-six