The ‘Broadview Six’: Charges Dismissed as Prosecutorial Misconduct Rocks Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ office is in turmoil after a federal judge permanently dismissed all charges against six protesters — including then-congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh and Oak Park trustee Brian Straw — who had been indicted in October 2025 for allegedly disrupting a federal immigration operation in suburban Broadview. After the court sought unredacted grand jury transcripts, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Mecklenburg was found to have improperly vouched for the prosecution, excused a skeptical grand juror without authority, and spoken privately with jurors; Judge April Perry ruled that “trust has been broken.” The fallout has since spread to at least three cases, with charges dropped against ten people and calls to investigate Boutros himself.