Chicago Prosecutors Dismiss Charges Against Broadview Protest Activists

Federal prosecutors in Chicago dismissed all remaining charges Thursday against four activists arrested during a protest outside an immigration facility, citing significant misconduct in the handling of the grand jury that originally indicted them. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros moved to drop the case with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled.

The decision followed a closed-door hearing before U.S. District Judge April Perry, who reviewed unredacted grand jury transcripts. Boutros acknowledged his office had made significant errors, stating the conduct was upsetting and the reason for the dismissal. He said he was unaware of the alleged misconduct until recently.

The allegations, which Boutros did not dispute, included a prosecutor meeting with a grand juror outside of official proceedings and the removal of panelists who refused to vote for an indictment. Judge Perry expressed strong criticism of the prosecution's actions during the hearing, stating she was incredibly shocked and accusing Boutros of continuing to malign the defendants even while dismissing the case.

The four defendants were part of a group initially known as the "Broadview Six," arrested in September...