Andrew S. Boutros, appointed by the Trump administration, serves as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He oversees a Chicago office marked by notable prosecutorial difficulties and numerous staff departures.
Boutros, with approximately a year in his role, brings experience as a former federal prosecutor in drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, and money laundering cases. He also worked in private practice prior to this appointment.
As U.S. attorney, Boutros has managed cases involving financial fraud, firearm possession, robbery, and threats of violence. Additionally, he has shifted resources to focus on cases with political implications. His actions reflect an alignment with Trump’s policies, despite frequent opposition from judges and juries.
Christopher V. Parente, a former deputy chief in the Chicago office, expressed concerns over Boutros’s methods. Parente, who has defended a case against protesters of Trump’s immigration policies, stated, “I’m concerned that Andrew Boutros is willing to take down all of the credibility of the U.S. attorney’s office to serve Donald Trump.”
Recently, Judge April M. Perry criticized Boutros’s office for misconduct before a grand jury. She stressed, “Your sole goal is to do justice,” emphasizing that justice itself is the ultimate client of prosecutors. Despite typically trusting government attorneys, she noted, “That trust has been broken.”