DePodesta says the highest levels of the FBI ordered him out
Douglas DePodestaFormer special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago field office, in an interview with the ABC7 Chicago I-Team
Douglas DePodesta tells the ABC7 Chicago I-Team he was forced to resign and was ordered out by the highest levels of the FBI, in a report aired Nov. 2, 2026.
Excerpt from 0:00 to 1:45 of the ABC7 Chicago video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: ABC7 Chicago. Excerpt used for news reporting and commentary
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: I-Team interview with Douglas DePodesta, in the article and the video report)
In an interview with the ABC7 Chicago I-Team, DePodesta says his departure from the FBI was not voluntary and that the highest levels of the bureau ordered him to leave his position.
Responding 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.
“I was ordered by the highest levels of the FBI that I needed to leave my position.”
Reporting
Other statements by Douglas DePodesta in this case
Every statement by Douglas DePodesta
Where this statement fits
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
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.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
ABC7 Chicago I-Team report, published November 2, 2026, on Douglas DePodesta's lawsuit against U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and others, with excerpts from the I-Team's on-camera interview with DePodesta and a statement from Nancy DePodesta.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Watch the clip from this source at the top of the page.
Before the quotation
DePodesta tells the I-Team that he did not retire from the FBI this summer but was forced out. "I was forced to resign. This was by no way voluntary," he says.
After the quotation
He tells the I-Team that speaking out will likely put a target on his back, calls the FBI and the Justice Department vindictive, and says fear will not silence him.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns DePodesta's allegation that Boutros blamed him for the collapse of the Broadview Six case and that he was forced out as a result. DePodesta says he was forced to resign on orders from the top of the FBI, which condemns how he was pushed out.
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More from this case
Read the full caseWheeler argues Blanche's alleged involvement compromises supervision
“Blanche’s participation in that October 7 meeting disclosed today by DePodesta means there’s no one who can do so.”Read statement
Wheeler says DePodesta's allegations challenge the account of outside contacts
“the top officials at DOJ and FBI were discussing the case before any attempt to charge it.”Read statement
Judge April Perry calls Boutros's statements to the court about the grand jury transcript hard to credit
“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.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "DePodesta says the highest levels of the FBI ordered him out". First published: 2026-11-04. Last updated: 2026-11-04. https://disputeindex.com/events/8090-in-an-interview-with-the-abc7-chicago-i