DOJ prosecutor Sheri Mecklenberg retired under protest, effective immediately, saying U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros directed her to pursue felony charges in a Chicago-area ICE case over her objection and that DOJ officials blocked her defense against misconduct claims.
The case arose from an altercation at the Broadview ICE detention center near Chicago; six people, including then-Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, were charged with allegedly impeding a federal agent's vehicle. In May, U.S. District Judge April Perry demanded unredacted grand-jury transcripts after prosecutors submitted redacted versions. Boutros later dismissed all remaining charges, and Perry criticized prosecutors for improper grand-jury comments and failures to disclose information, including an earlier grand jury's rejection of the charges.
In her letter, Mecklenberg said Boutros directed the transcript redactions without consulting her and failed to tell her about the May hearing, which she said she learned about from the media. She said she was placed on leave and had her devices and credentials cut off without notice. Mecklenberg said retirement was the only way to defend herself while preserving health benefits earned over more than 27 years. She acknowledged not everything she said or did before the grand jury was perfect, but said she was prepared to face legitimate scrutiny.
