CHICAGO (WLS) — Andrew Boutros, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, appeared before a federal judge on Thursday morning.
Concerns have been raised regarding the handling of a sealed case by the top prosecutor, which involves a notorious Venezuelan gang.
Boutros’ court appearance occurs as Democrats call for his resignation over matters related to a separate legal case.
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Judge Laura McNally reprimanded U.S. Attorney Boutros, criticizing him and his office for not adhering to a sealed order concerning the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua.
Although she noted that no tangible harm resulted and did not make a judgment on Boutros’ intentions, she emphasized the necessity of complying with court mandates.
The controversy stems from possible violations of a court order sealing a criminal complaint against alleged members of the street gang.
According to court records, a federal judge had refused to unseal the case when prosecutors made a rushed request just 15 minutes before a scheduled news conference.
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For his part, Boutros outlined in a 14-page filing that it was not his intent to violate the order.
He added he thought the order had been unsealed and had not received an email that it hadn’t been.
The most recent proceedings are a continuation of the intense legal scrutiny surrounding Boutros’ tenure as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
Thursday’s summons follows criticism over Operation Midway Blitz and the collapse of the Broadview Six protester case earlier this year where charges were dropped due to prosecutorial misconduct.
Boutros told the judge, “We respect the court and the courts orders and hold it in great respect.”
He also promised look into the miscommunication in his office.
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