FBI Chief Sues Over Broadview Six Case

Douglas DePodesta, the former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Chicago field office, filed a lawsuit on Monday against U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros. The suit alleges that Boutros falsely blamed DePodesta for the collapse of the Broadview Six case. DePodesta claims this campaign of misinformation led to his forced retirement. He named Boutros, FBI Director Kash Patel, then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI, and the Justice Department as defendants.

The legal action contradicts a statement Boutros' office made to U.S. District Judge April Perry in March. Prosecutors told the court on March 30 that there were no communications regarding investigatory or charging decisions with anyone outside the office. This included the White House and Justice Department headquarters. DePodesta's attorneys assert that Boutros met with Blanche, Patel, and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald in DePodesta's office on October 7, 2025. They state that Boutros discussed the investigation with these superiors during that meeting.

Records show prosecutors sought an indictment in the case two days after that meeting. A grand jury initially rejected the charges before approving them on October 23, 2025. The case stemmed from a September 2025 protest outside an immigration holding facility in Broadview. Prosecutors charged six individuals with conspiracy to impede a federal agent whose SUV was pushed and damaged by the crowd.

The defendants include Kat Abughazaleh, Brian Straw, Catherine Sharp, Michael Rabbitt, Joselyn Walsh, and Andre Martin. Most were involved in local Democratic politics. The lawsuit notes that persons close to the Trump administration called for criminal prosecution of the protesters, particularly Abughazaleh, who was running for the U.S. House of Representatives at the time. Abughazaleh placed second in the Democratic primary for the 9th District, which was won by Daniel Biss.

Boutros' team previously dismissed claims of selective prosecution as the product of fevered paranoia and delusional speculation. The case collapsed on May 21 after Perry discovered apparent misconduct by prosecutors before the grand jury. Judge Perry is considering whether to name a special prosecutor to investigate federal wrongdoing in the matter.

Stanley Woodward, the associate attorney general, asked Perry on Friday to clarify whether her request for records was a directive. He warned that the United States has not agreed to provide any information. During an October 1 hearing, Perry told Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Whalen that his office had previously claimed there was nothing to show. She noted that his argument had changed significantly since then. Neither Boutros nor a spokesperson commented on the new lawsuit immediately after it was filed.