Former FBI Chicago Chief Sues DOJ Over Forced Resignation

Former FBI Chicago field office leader Douglas DePodesta filed a lawsuit on November 2, 2026, alleging he was forced to resign in July following a defamation campaign. DePodesta claims that Andrew Boutros, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, made false statements to deflect from his own misconduct during the Broadview Six case, which involved the prosecution of activists at a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility.

DePodesta asserts that the Broadview Six case collapsed due to improper conduct by federal prosecutors. He alleges that Boutros created irresistible political pressure that compelled FBI superiors to order his resignation. The lawsuit names Boutros, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI, and the Department of Justice as defendants.

The legal action follows a period of instability within the U.S. Attorney's office. In June, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth called for the resignation of Boutros, citing internal dysfunction and misconduct within his office.