US attorney for Northern Dis. of IL announces 'sweeping reforms to internal grand jury practices'
Announcement comes as fallout continues from dismissed fed prosecution of 6 people protesting ICE actions last year
CHICAGO (WLS) -- As fallout continues from a dismissed federal prosecution of six people protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions last year, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois announced "sweeping reforms to internal grand jury practices and disclosures" Wednesday.
Charges against the "Broadview Six" or six people, including progressive politicians, who were protesting outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility during "Operation Midway Blitz," were dismissed after it was revealed prosecutors in the case had redacted and removed pages from grand jury transcripts. They also failed to disclose interactions with grand jurors that defense attorneys say amounted to an intentional "coverup" of prosecutorial misconduct.
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It's also believed Andrew S. Boutros had personal contact with the grand jury.
On Wednesday, Boutros announced a remediation plan that includes the "most substantial and significant changes in decades."
"U.S. Attorney Boutros and the Department of Justice have also taken swift action related to internal personnel matters," a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
The changes took effect Tuesday.
The release said the changes will streamline the office's grand jury processes and disclosures.
"The new process moving forward will be more transparent, effective, and impactful while greatly reducing the likelihood of mistakes and errors," the release said.
The reforms establish expectations and rules for federal prosecutors related to grand jury disclosures.
The plan includes increased and expanded education about grand jury presentations.
The news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office also said after learning of certain conduct by the government in the grand jury of a recent case, the office moved to dismiss the indictment in that case. It's not clear if Boutros' office was referring to the "Broadview Six" case.
The office continues to conduct a review after the case the release mentioned.
This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.
The video in the player above is from an earlier report.
