Prosecutor Sheri Mecklenburg resigns amid Broadview Six misconduct allegations

Sheri Mecklenburg Andrew Boutros Broadview Six Department of Justice prosecutorial misconduct

Federal prosecutor Sheri Mecklenburg has resigned from the Department of Justice, stating she is 'retiring under protest' after being scapegoated for the failed 'Broadview Six' prosecution. In a scathing letter to U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, Mecklenburg alleged that Boutros personally directed the pursuit of felony conspiracy charges against six protesters, despite her recommendation that the case was better suited for misdemeanor charges.

The Broadview Six case involved protesters arrested during an immigration enforcement crackdown in 2025. The prosecution collapsed following allegations of 'gross misconduct' regarding grand jury proceedings, including improper communications with jurors and the dismissal of jurors who disagreed with the government. U.S. District Judge April Perry noted that the 'trust has been broken' regarding the regularity of the proceedings.

Mecklenburg's legal team filed a court motion claiming she followed instructions from the U.S. Attorney's office 'at every turn' and disclosed that Boutros had directed her to order an expedited copy of a grand jury transcript documenting the misconduct. While Mecklenburg's attorneys stated she 'owns' any mistakes made, they denied allegations of bad faith or lying.

Entities

Andrew Boutros · April Perry · Broadview · Broadview Six · Department of Justice · Sheri Mecklenburg · U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] Sheri Mecklenburg resigned from the Department of Justice. offthepress.com · looniepolitics.com · chicago.suntimes.com · www.ms.now · www.newsday.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The Broadview Six case involved felony conspiracy charges and misdemeanor obstruction charges. offthepress.com · looniepolitics.com · chicago.suntimes.com · www.ms.now · www.newsday.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Sheri Mecklenburg accused U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros of personally directing felony charges despite her recommendation for misdemeanors. offthepress.com · emptywheel.net · looniepolitics.com · chicago.suntimes.com · www.ms.now · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Sheri Mecklenburg stated she was retiring 'under protest' and felt she was being scapegoated. offthepress.com · looniepolitics.com · chicago.suntimes.com · www.ms.now · www.newsday.com · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] U.S. District Judge April Perry stated that the trust in the presumption of regularity had been broken. www.ms.now
[● 2 SOURCES] Andrew Boutros stated he learned of some alleged misconduct in late April. offthepress.com · www.cbsnews.com