Judge releases grand jury transcripts after Broadview Six case collapses

A federal judge on Tuesday released transcripts from secret grand jury proceedings that had resulted in a conspiracy indictment against a group known as the Broadview Six. The disclosure is unusual, as grand jury sessions are typically confidential.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros dismissed the remaining charges on May 21 after U.S. District Judge April Perry identified improprieties in the grand jury process that had been redacted from earlier transcripts. Perry told prosecutors that "trust has been broken."

Boutros acknowledged that he appeared before the grand jurors on the same day the indictment was handed up, after the panel had previously rejected the charges. He said he was unaware of any misconduct until late April.

Democratic elected officials have called for Boutros's resignation, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has expressed support for him. Attorneys for the Broadview Six are seeking additional records that could link senior Justice Department officials to the case.

The Broadview Six case stemmed from a September protest outside a suburban immigration facility, during which a crowd damaged a federal agent's vehicle. Prosecutors charged six individuals—former congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw, former Cook County Board candidate Catherine "Cat" Sharp, 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt, musician Joselyn Walsh, and former campaign worker Andre Martin—raising concerns about selective prosecution and free-speech rights.