Former FBI Chief Seeks Back Pay After $25,000 Settlement Bid Rejected

Federal officials in Chicago have faced a new legal challenge regarding the handling of a high-profile immigration protest case. Douglas DePodesta, the former director of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Monday.

The lawsuit names U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI, and the Justice Department as defendants. DePodesta claims Boutros told other officials that he sabotaged the Broadview Six case. The complaint states Boutros accused DePodesta of improperly working with Nancy DePodesta, his sister-in-law, who represented one of the defendants.

DePodesta denies the accusations. He says the allegations caused FBI leaders to pressure him to resign earlier this year. The underlying case involved six individuals charged after a protest outside the Broadview immigration facility in September 2025. The lawsuit asserts prosecutors dismissed the charges due to their own misconduct.

The complaint seeks several specific remedies from the court. DePodesta is asking for an order to reinstate him to his previous position. He also requests back pay and additional damages to cover the time he has been out of the job.

The legal action includes claims of defamation. DePodesta also argues his constitutional rights and federal employment protections were violated during the process. The case will now proceed through the federal court system in Chicago.