Ex-Chicago FBI chief sues alleging scapegoat role in Broadview case

Douglas DePodesta filed a 38-page lawsuit on Nov. 2, 2026 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Andrew Boutros, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI and the DOJ. He led FBI Chicago from 2024 until July after more than 20 years with the agency and seeks reinstatement, back pay and damages. DePodesta alleges Boutros had him blamed for the Broadview Six collapse to deflect from prosecutorial misconduct. Six people were charged after a September 2025 protest at a Broadview ICE facility; charges were dismissed in May amid misconduct claims. he said, "I was forced to resign. This was by no way voluntary," and that the highest levels of the FBI ordered him out. The complaint describes an Oct. 7, 2025 Chicago FBI meeting with Boutros, Blanche and Patel before grand jury action, alleged pressure over Operation Midway Blitz investigations, and use of his link to sister-in-law Nancy DePodesta, a defense attorney for one defendant. Lawsuit text says Boutros "pressured and convinced" the other defendants "to sacrifice an outstanding public servant." Sens. Durbin and Duckworth called for Boutros' resignation in June. A judge set Nov. 16 testimony under oath for Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys. The allegations have not been independently established.