Former Chicago FBI Chief Sues Justice Department in 38-Page Scapegoating Case
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 2
Former Chicago FBI Chief Sues Justice Department in 38-Page Scapegoating Case
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 2
Summary
Douglas DePodesta filed a 38-page federal lawsuit in Chicago on Monday, accusing the Justice Department of forcing his July resignation and seeking reinstatement, back pay and other damages.
The suit says U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros made DePodesta a scapegoat after protest cases tied to the Trump administration’s 2025 Illinois immigration crackdown collapsed.
DePodesta alleges Boutros told Justice Department superiors that he had “conspired to destroy” the Broadview Six case, triggering his ouster from the FBI post he had held for nearly two years.
The complaint also levels unusual accusations at senior Washington officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, widening scrutiny of a Chicago U.S. attorney’s office already hit by prosecutorial failures and staff departures.