Former Chicago FBI Chief Sues Justice Department Over Dismissal

Douglas DePodesta, the former head of the FBI’s Chicago field office, has filed a lawsuit against top Justice Department officials. He alleges he was removed from his position in summer 2026 after being blamed for a high-profile prosecution that unraveled. The suit accuses federal prosecutors of prioritizing political goals over evidence in cases stemming from the city’s immigration crackdown.

DePodesta, a 24-year veteran of the agency, says he stepped down against his will in the summer following the collapse of charges against six demonstrators. The group, known as the Broadview Six, was charged with conspiring to obstruct a federal officer during a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview. Prosecutors brought charges against approximately 30 protesters during Operation Midway Blitz, many of which have since been dropped or dismissed.

The lawsuit names Andrew Boutros, the top federal prosecutor in Illinois, as a central figure in the conflict. DePodesta’s attorneys state that Boutros launched a campaign to shift blame to the FBI chief after the case failed. The suit claims Boutros pressured subordinates to file felony charges before gathering objective evidence. It further alleges that Boutros demanded DePodesta open investigations into individuals with political views opposed to the Trump administration.

Court transcripts revealed that a grand jury twice refused to indict the six defendants, despite urging from prosecutors. Boutros delivered a speech to the jurors during the proceedings. He dropped all charges in May 2026 as the court moved to investigate potential prosecutorial misconduct. DePodesta’s lawyers argue that Boutros repeatedly told superiors in Washington that the failure was due to DePodesta’s actions to deflect attention from his own conduct.

The suit alleges that Boutros told Justice Department leadership that DePodesta and his sister-in-law, Nancy DePodesta, conspired to destroy the case. Nancy DePodesta is an attorney representing Michael Rabbitt, one of the former defendants. She confirmed the family relationship and stated that her brother-in-law took his oath of office seriously. She described his forced exit as heartbreaking and shameful, attributing it to false rumors spread by Boutros.

DePodesta stated in an interview with The Associated Press that he saw the writing on the wall. He said his superiors informed him that FBI Director Kash Patel wanted him fired. The FBI and the Justice Department have not immediately responded to requests for comment. Boutros’ office also declined to comment on the lawsuit.

In late September 2026, a prosecutor on the Broadview Six case resigned abruptly. Her resignation letter accused Boutros of scapegoating and publicly vilifying her. She filed a motion to be treated as an independent party in the proceedings. The former defendants have asked U.S. District Judge April Perry to appoint a special counsel to examine possible misconduct by prosecutors.

Judge Perry ordered further fact-finding regarding communications between Boutros’ office and Justice Department leadership at a hearing on October 1, 2026. The court will review these communications as part of its investigation into the handling of the Broadview Six case and the subsequent fallout within federal law enforcement.