Judge Demands Communications in ‘Broadview Six’ Investigation

U.S. District Judge April Perry has made her first official discovery requests in the ‘Broadview Six’ case. She has asked the U.S. attorney’s office to provide any written communications with external parties about investigations or charges. This includes an email to U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros with a quick transcript of grand jury proceedings.

If the communications were oral, the government must identify participants, date, time, and duration of the conversations. There should be a certification of no recording or transcription. Any written summaries or notes from these discussions should be included. Perry stated that testimony from witnesses might be needed after document reviews. The deadline for these documents is October 30.

Last week, Judge Perry announced a fact-finding mission to determine if the U.S. attorney’s office misled her. This action could result in sanctions or appointing a special prosecutor for criminal contempt charges. Currently, there is no finding of misconduct, but Perry noted flaws in the prosecution and inaccuracies from Boutros’ office. The judge mentioned that hiding illegal conduct or mere embarrassment doesn’t matter.

In a directive, Perry emphasized that responses from the U.S. attorney’s office must be “under oath, under penalty of perjury.” She clarified that her inquiry excludes grand jury misconduct since charges are dismissed. The focus is on concealments and misrepresentations before her.

Perry requested evidence on Boutros’ knowledge of alleged misconduct by October 9, 2025. This followed a no-bill grand jury vote. The retired assistant U.S. attorney, Sheri Mecklenburg, stated Boutros requested the grand jury transcript. Boutros, however, claims he didn’t read it although he received it on October 14.

Perry wants not just Boutros’ email, but all related replies and forwards. Available email chains, attachments, and metadata, like read receipts and tracking logs, must be provided.

This inquiry places Chicago’s top federal law enforcement office in unfamiliar territory. It follows the dismissal of all charges against the ‘Broadview Six’ protesters over accusations of misconduct. Judge Perry underscored the necessity of honesty by quoting Spider-Man: “with great power comes great responsibility.” She warned that deception could be punished.

Perry stated these inaccuracies affected the case’s course and prolonged defendants’ legal constraints, impacting their finances and lives. The ‘Broadview Six’ team claims the indictment might have been politically motivated due to pressure from the Trump administration. Boutros, appointed by then-U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in March 2025, denied any political motivations. Prosecutors admitted mistakes in August but argued that corrective actions were implemented and that no evidence suggests vindictive prosecution.