Broadview 6 prosecutor retires under protest, blames U.S. attorney
Summary
Sheri Mecklenburg, a federal prosecutor, resigned from the Department of Justice after conflicts over a case involving six protesters charged near an ICE facility. She criticized U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros for directing the case and mishandling allegations of misconduct in the grand jury process, which led to the charges being dropped.Key Facts
- Sheri Mecklenburg was the lead prosecutor for felony charges against six protesters at the Broadview ICE facility near Chicago.
- The protesters faced felony conspiracy and misdemeanor obstruction charges; the felony charges were dismissed first.
- Before the misdemeanor trial started, allegations of misconduct during grand jury proceedings caused those charges to be dismissed as well.
- Boutros said he only learned about some misconduct in late April and confirmed improper actions like a prosecutor vouching for the case with grand jurors.
- Mecklenburg accused Boutros of blaming her unfairly and hiding information from her about the misconduct investigation and court hearings.
- She claims Boutros threatened to fire her if she defended herself against accusations made by defense attorneys.
- Mecklenburg resigned to protect her healthcare benefits earned from government service and said Boutros personally directed the felony prosecution despite her objections.
- Boutros announced reforms for how grand jury materials are handled and plans to review over 1,000 previous cases involving Mecklenburg and others.
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