Former FBI Chicago Chief Sues Agencies Over Forced Resignation

Doug DePodesta served as the head of the FBI’s Chicago field office for nearly two years. On Monday, he filed a lawsuit against the FBI, the Department of Justice, and top agency leaders, alleging he was forced out over failed immigration prosecutions.

The suit names FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche as defendants. DePodesta is suing in both his personal and professional capacity. He claims he was made a scapegoat for a series of botched cases linked to Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration crackdown that began last fall.

According to the filing, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros urged DePodesta to open investigations into individuals who opposed the Trump administration. DePodesta stated that political pressure intensified within the Chicago office during this period. He described a climate where prosecutors focused on charging the Broadview Six, a group of protesters arrested outside an ICE detention facility in 2025.

The lawsuit details that Deputy Director Christopher Raia told DePodesta that Boutros had accused him of conspiring with his sister-in-law, Nancy DePodesta, to destroy the case. Nancy DePodesta is a Chicago defense attorney who represented Michael Rabbitt, one of the six defendants. DePodesta claims he had no role in deciding to seek charges against the group and never discussed the case with his sister-in-law.

DePodesta told CBS News Chicago that he views the actions as vindictive prosecution. He said, “I know what this means. It essentially puts a target on my back, but I will not be silenced by fear.” The lawsuit argues that Boutros used false statements to deflect attention from his own failures and to force DePodesta out.

The Broadview Six charges were dismissed earlier this year. U.S. District Judge April Perry requested grand jury transcripts, which revealed that Boutros’ team excluded dissenting votes to secure the charges. DePodesta alleges that Boutros convinced Blanche and Patel that he was the cause of the legal setbacks, leading to his removal.

DePodesta is seeking reinstatement, backpay, and damages. He alleges the actions of Boutros, Patel, and Blanche violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights. Since leaving the FBI after a 24-year career, he has begun work in the private sector. He said his ouster had a chilling effect on the agency’s staff in Chicago.

Boutros has denied that politics plays a role in his office. The offices of Boutros and Blanche have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.