US Attorney’s Office Drops Arson Case Amid New Grand Jury Gaffes by ‘Broadview Six’ Prosecutor
Boutros said the review spans more than 100 grand jury cases and follows findings of improper ex parte communications and other misconduct.
- On Monday, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros moved to drop arson charges against Alla Ishkirat, Tawfik Salman, Larry Moneyham, and Lonniel Nelson Jr. after discovering serious irregularities in grand jury presentations by prosecutor Sheri Mecklenburg.
- Mecklenburg allegedly engaged in improper ex parte communications with grand jurors during July 2025 sessions, including claims she "can prove this case" and that "most of them aren't as smart as they think," echoing documented Broadview Six misconduct.
- Boutros's office will conduct an individualized review of more than 100 grand jury cases Mecklenburg handled since 2007, aiming to restore confidence in Northern District of Illinois grand jury practices and ensure prosecutors never redact transcripts submitted to courts.
- Defense attorney Christopher Parente criticized the office's remediation plan, stating he does not trust officials who "attempted to redact their way out of trouble" to design a process for rectifying these errors amid calls for Boutros's resignation.
- Broadview Six defendants seek a special counsel to investigate potential criminal contempt, arguing the office's "serious and pervasive misconduct" demonstrates a sustained effort to improperly steer grand jury decision-making rather than present evidence impartially.
15 Articles
15 Articles
US Attorney’s Office drops arson case amid new grand jury gaffes by ‘Broadview Six’ prosecutor
Saying he was interested in upholding the "presumption of regularity" for his office, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros on Monday moved to drop charges in an arson case after discovering startling grand jury irregularities by the same prosecutor who handled the "Broadview Six" investigation.
Federal prosecutors in Chicago forced to drop another case due to misconduct
Federal prosecutors in Chicago have been forced to drop another case after discovering improper communication between one of their own lawyers and a grandy jury. It's the latest blackeye for the once vaunted U.S. Attorney's office.
Chicago US Attorney’s Office Reviewing Past Grand Jury Proceedings After Another Case Tied to ‘Broadview Six’ Prosecutor Falls Apart
Chicago US Attorney’s Office Reviewing Past Grand Jury Proceedings After Another Case Tied to ‘Broadview Six’ Prosecutor Falls Apart Matt Masterson Mon, 06/22/2026 - 17:01 Chicago’s embattled U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said his office is reviewing scores of grand jury cases from across the 20-year career of the prosecutor now facing misconduct allegations from the “Broadview Six” protester case. A third criminal case connected to Assistant U.S…
'Broadview Six' damage spreads with review of 20 years of one prosecutor's cases
Ten defendants in three cases have now seen their federal criminal charges permanently dropped as a result of the grand jury controversy in Boutros’ office, and questions remain about who redacted alleged misconduct by a veteran prosecutor from transcripts given to U.S. District Judge April Perry.
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