Ex-Chicago FBI chief sues feds, alleging defamation led to forced resignation

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(The Center Square) – The former leader of the FBI’s Chicago field office has filed a lawsuit claiming he was forced to resign because “false and defamatory statements” by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros created political pressure.

Douglas DePodesta filed the suit Monday in the Northern District of Illinois and named Boutros in both his official and personal capacity, the FBI and FBI Director Kash Patel, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche as defendants.

DePodesta said in the complaint that Operation Midway Blitz prosecutions were politically motivated, and the Broadview Six case in particular disintegrated because of improper conduct by federal prosecutors, including Boutros himself.

The Broadview Six case involved local politicians and activists charged for protesting at the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois.

The case was dismissed after the improper conduct allegations came to light.

DePodesta alleged that Boutros, “to deflect from his own malfeasance,” began a campaign within the DOJ to blame DePodesta for the unraveling of the case. DePodesta said his superiors at the FBI told him the political pressure Boutros created was “irresistible” and they ordered him to resign.

DePodesta’s complaint said the suit was filed to redress the harm done to his “otherwise spotless reputation” and other damages he suffered.

DePodesta led the FBI’s Chicago field office from 2024 until he stepped down last July, following a total of more than 20 years with the agency.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-IL, and Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, called for Boutros’ resignation in June, citing “chaos, deep internal dysfunction and alleged misconduct” in his office.

The DOJ and the FBI’s Chicago office did not immediately respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.

Sean Reed contributed to this story