The extent of alleged misconduct by the U.S. Attorney’s office in the now failed “Broadview Six” case was revealed in new documents released on Tuesday.
Federal Judge April Perry on Tuesday called the actions by federal prosecutors “shocking” and ordered the release of transcripts that show prosecutors trying and failing twice to get a grand jury to indict the “Broadview Six” before finally finding success an appearance from U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros.
The revelations come as multiple democratic officials – including Illinois’ two U.S. Senators – have called on Boutros to resign and just one day after 111 former federal prosecutors sent a signed letter raising concerns of “a failure of leadership” and whether “political considerations” are playing a role.
The transcripts are from three dates: October 9, 16 and 23. They show prosecutors trying to convince skeptical grand jurors to bring an indictment against six protesters charged with conspiracy to impede federal agents at a chaotic protest outside an ICE facility in Broadview last fall.
Judge Perry admonished prosecutors for several errors including, improperly vouching for the case, communicating with grand jurors outside of court, and improperly dismissing grand jurors.
“These transcripts prove that the grand jury in the ‘Broadview Six’ case repeatedly attempted to say ‘no’ to this sham political indictment,” said “Broadview Six” attorney Christopher Parente.
Now, NBC 5 has the receipts, including the following exchange from Oct. 16 between Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Mecklenberg and a grand juror.
“GRAND JUROR: Are you actually presenting any new actual facts or just a different viewpoint on your side?
MS. MECKLENBURG: Okay. I’m feeling the skepticism already. Are you going to be able to listen with an open mind? Tell me the truth.
GRAND JUROR: I — no.
MS. MECKLENBURG: Okay. Then you have to go —
GRAND JUROR: I heard this case like last week and I thought it was a crock of s–t then and I still think it is –“
Prosecutors took their third bite at the apple on Oct. 23.
That time, Boutros himself appeared before the grand jury, reminding them to “call balls and strikes,” but added that if anyone is struggling with “immigration cases or other cases where they do not believe that they can set aside their personal emotions […] I would ask that you raise your hand and identify yourself, because we have a different procedure for that.”
The “Broadview Six” case was dropped in late May after Boutros appeared before the judge and acknowledged his prosecutors made “mistakes” when they were trying to convince a grand jury to indict, before later announcing his intent to undertake “sweeping reforms” to his embattled office.
