Former FBI Chicago Chief Sues DOJ Over Forced Resignation

Douglas DePodesta, former director of the FBI’s Chicago field office, filed a lawsuit on Monday against the FBI and the Department of Justice. He alleges he was forced to resign after serving as a scapegoat for a series of failed prosecutions connected to Operation Midway Blitz. The suit names FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche as defendants. It also includes U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, who led the Northern District of Illinois.

DePodesta headed the Chicago office, which employed 1,100 agents, for just under two years. He filed the complaint in both his personal and professional capacity. The lawsuit argues that political pressure entered the office as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown began last fall. It claims Boutros urged DePodesta to investigate individuals with political views opposed to the administration. DePodesta described the practice as vindictive prosecution in an interview with CBS News Chicago.

The legal filing centers on the Broadview Six, a group of protesters arrested outside an ICE detention facility in Broadview in 2025. Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge April Perry dismissed charges against the six. She required grand jury transcripts, which revealed that Boutros’ team excluded dissenting votes to secure the charges. DePodesta claims Boutros convinced Blanche and Patel that he was the cause of the botched prosecutions. The suit states Boutros used DePodesta to deflect attention from his own failings.

Deputy Director Christopher Raia told DePodesta that Boutros alleged he conspired with his sister-in-law, attorney Nancy DePodesta, to destroy the Broadview Six case. Nancy DePodesta had represented Michael Rabbitt, one of the defendants. DePodesta asserts he had no role in deciding to seek charges against the group and never discussed the case with his sister-in-law. The lawsuit contends Boutros knew his statements were false and made them intentionally to force DePodesta out.

The former director is seeking reinstatement, backpay, and damages. He alleges the actions of the defendants violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights. DePodesta, who has since moved to the private sector, worked for the FBI for 24 years. He said his resignation was ordered, not voluntary. He noted that the executive management team shielded the Chicago agents from the turmoil in Washington, but the situation was chilling for the staff.

DePodesta said he hopes his lawsuit encourages other career professionals to speak up. He believes his ouster sent a message to the workforce. The FBI’s role, he said, is to investigate and find justice, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office decides which charges move forward to the grand jury. He stated he will not be silenced by fear, even if it puts a target on his back.

The offices of U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche have not yet responded to requests for comment. Boutros has previously denied that politics plays a role in his office. DePodesta’s suit marks a formal legal challenge to the leadership changes and operational decisions made during the Midway Blitz operation.