NEW: In pleading guilty to conspiracy, Mohamed Sirajudeen agreed to pay nearly $80 million in restitution and $13.7 million in back taxes, and forfeit a 4,000-square-foot condo on the 43rd floor of the Trump Tower in Chicago, valued at about $2.8 million. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/05/c...

Chicago lab owner pleads guilty, cooperating against ex-Loretto Hospital executive in COVID-19 test scheme

A Chicago lab owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring with fugitive ex-Loretto Hospital executive Anosh Ahmed in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme.

chicagotribune.com

UPDATE: New fallout today in a case against a former marijuana company exec, whose indictment was handed up by the same grand jury as the "Broadview Six" "I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I have never seen anything remotely close to this” defense atty says www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/05/u...

U.S. attorney’s office offers mea culpa in ‘Broadview Six’ case, says no further inquiry warranted

Prosecutors for embattled Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said in a court filing late Tuesday that while mistakes were made in the now-defunct “Broadview Six” case against immigration protesters,...

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: Mohamed Sirajudeen pleads guilty to helping fugitive ex-Loretto Hospital exec Anosh Ahmed steal tens of millions of dollars in a COVID-19 test scheme. In court it was revealed Sirajudeen is cooperating against Ahmed in hopes of leniency background: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/16/j...

Judge: Fugitive ex-Loretto Hospital exec not entitled to dismissal hearing amid ‘Broadview Six’ fallout

An ex-Loretto Hospital executive fighting extradition from Serbia is not entitled to a hearing on dismissal of fraud charges despite alleged misconduct by the U.S. attorney’s office that came to light...

chicagotribune.com

NEW: U.S. attorney's office offers mea culpa in 'Broadview Six' case, says no further inquiry warranted “This case involved irregularities during a time of immense pressure, upheaval, and emotion in the district because of Operation Midway Blitz” Story here: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/05/u...

US attorney’s office offers mea culpa in ‘Broadview Six’ case, says no further inquiry warranted

Prosecutors for embattled Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said in a court filing late Tuesday that while mistakes were made in the now-defunct “Broadview Six” case against immigration protesters,...

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: Chicago's U.S. Attorney's Office says a special counsel need not be appointed to look into wrongdoing in the "Broadview Six" case, and that a hearing on sanctions isn’t warranted. background: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/02/b...

NEW: Crystal Cooper, the former top operations chief for Chicago Public Schools, has been charged in a federal indictment with COVID-19 fraud alleging she lied about income generated by a side business to obtain nearly $30,000 in pandemic-related loans www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/04/f...

Former top Chicago Public Schools executive charged with COVID loan fraud

The former top operations chief for Chicago Public Schools has been charged in a federal indictment with COVID-19 fraud.

chicagotribune.com

“As I sat there innocently, two to three individuals brandishing guns suddenly entered the vicinity, filling the air with a menacing auro” Man who helped fake an armed robbery to get a crime victim visa is at large after abandoning his Chicago federal trial www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/04/t...

Man skips out in middle of trial for fake armed robbery scheme to get crime victim visas

A Florida man remained at large Monday after allegedly ditching his own criminal trial in Chicago.

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: Imprisoned former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an extension on the deadline to ask them to hear his case. He now has until Aug. 26

After a member of a brazen armed robbery crew was shot in the shoulder, he checked into a hospital under an alias, the feds say While he was in the ER, Jordan Fox posted a selfie on Facebook with the caption: “All these sins and God still not ready fa me yet" www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/23/c...

“Everybody come here before I drop the switch!” Three members of a violent stick-up crew were convicted this week on charges involving 14 armed robberies of Chicago bars and liquor stores, including the Irish Nobleman Pub in West Town www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/23/c...

‘Everybody come here before I drop the switch!’ Crew convicted in 14 armed robberies

The robberies highlighted in the trial began in August 2023 at Ace’s Liquor and Tap in the 4400 block of West Armitage Avenue, and ended nearly a year later with the May 9, 2024, heist at Basil Food &...

chicagotribune.com

It was a dog of a game. But man what a cool shot from Wrigley by the Tribune’s @mandophotos.bsky.social

“This isn’t a game show where we applaud when things happen” Bond granted for Oak Lawn drug clinic operator accused of stealing millions, buying yacht called 'Butt Nekkid' Feds say Daniel Robinson had plans to flee to Brazil www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/22/o...

Bond granted for drug clinic operator accused of stealing millions, buying yacht called ‘Butt Nekkid’

The owner of an Oak Lawn methadone clinic accused in a massive Medicaid fraud scheme involving a yacht called “Butt Nekkid” withdrew nearly $3 million in still-unaccounted for funds from his bank and ...

chicagotribune.com

Two years after he was ambushed by a son of "El Chapo" Guzman and flown across the Mexican border, Sinaloa Cartel boss Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is given life in prison. Meanwhile the "Chapitos" are cooperating with the U.S. goverment in their case in Chicago: apnews.com/article/mexi...

Ex-Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada denounces violence as he's sentenced to life in prison

Former Mexican drug kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was sentenced in a U.S. court to life in prison.

apnews.com

Greg Bovino says Chicago's US Attorney wasn't aggressive enough in charging protesters during Midway Blitz... Yet charges were dropped against one man when video surfaced showing Bovino lied about being shoved. Another man was aquitted of putting a bounty on his head www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/u...

Failed Immigration Cases Leave Chicago Prosecutor’s Office Reeling

Prosecutors have fled the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, angry about the cases they’ve been told to bring against protesters and immigrants.

nytimes.com

In case any of this is sounding familiar...that's because it is. Four years ago: www.chicagotribune.com/2022/05/23/m...

Madigan knew about secret payments to ousted political operative, unsealed court filing alleges

House Speaker Michael Madigan knew in advance that several lobbyists would send secret, back-channel payments to a top lieutenant he’d ousted in a 2018 sexual harassment scandal, newly unsealed court ...

chicagotribune.com

Jason Meisner@jmetr22b.bsky.social · 3w ago

“I may look like a five but I f— like a 10” How Illinois House Speaker Welch's office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton made by a young staffer years ago -- and did nothing. By Tribune aces Jeremy Gorner and Rick Pearson: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/17/s...

“I may look like a five but I f— like a 10” How Illinois House Speaker Welch's office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton made by a young staffer years ago -- and did nothing. By Tribune aces Jeremy Gorner and Rick Pearson: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/17/s...

Illinois House Speaker Welch’s office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton years ago

The revelations from a female lobbyist and an ex-Benton staffer not only shed new light on the scandal surrounding the former two-term lawmaker, they also echo one of the most turbulent chapters in Il...

chicagotribune.com

A federal judge says a fugitive ex-Loretto Hospital executive is not entitled to a dismissal hearing amid the ongoing "Broadview 6" fallout because it would be seeking "the benefits of a justice system he is actively refusing to be prosecuted in.” STORY: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/16/j...

Judge: Fugitive ex-Loretto Hospital exec not entitled to dismissal hearing amid ‘Broadview Six’ fallout

An ex-Loretto Hospital executive fighting extradition from Serbia is not entitled to a hearing on dismissal of fraud charges despite alleged misconduct by the U.S. attorney’s office that came to light...

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: Judge rules ex-Loretto Hospital exec Anosh Ahmed’s decision to fight extradition means he’s not entitled to a hearing on dismissal of fraud charges due to prosecutorial misconduct— at least for now His co-defendants were cut loose last month: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/12/f...

Ex-Summit police chief John Kosmowski gets 3 years in prison for shaking down a bar owner over a liquor license. The feds say he was captured on wiretaps talking like the criminals he was supposed to investigate -- including calling a cooperator “a rat.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/16/e...

Ex-Summit police chief gets three years in prison in shakedown scheme

Former Summit police Chief John Kosmowski has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for taking a bribe from a local bar owner in exchange for assisting with a liquor license transfer.

chicagotribune.com

Prosecutors are now asking for an additional two weeks to file reponses on all the ongoing issues in the "Broadview Six" case Defense does not oppose, so we're looking at Aug. 4 now

Jason Meisner@jmetr22b.bsky.social · 3w ago

JUST IN: In a filing calling for a full hearing, lawyers for the Broadview Six take US Attorney Andrew Boutros to task for his office-wide email on the day charges were dropped calling his prosecution team “Courageous.” They say his message should have been “exactly the opposite”

"Would you put her even in charge of a ham sandwich?” GOP senator singles out former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot during Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing to be Attorney General www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/15/l...

GOP senator singles out former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot during Todd Blanche DOJ hearing

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was singled out by a Republican senator on Wednesday as someone who should not be put in “charge of a ham sandwich” during acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s co...

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: In a filing calling for a full hearing, lawyers for the Broadview Six take US Attorney Andrew Boutros to task for his office-wide email on the day charges were dropped calling his prosecution team “Courageous.” They say his message should have been “exactly the opposite”

NEW: Former Chicago R&B superstar R. Kelly has formally petitioned President Donald Trump to commute his 30-year sentence for sex abuse of minors Kelly, 59, is not due to be released until January 2046 www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/14/r...

R. Kelly asks President Donald Trump to commute 30-year sentence for sex abuse of minors

Imprisoned Chicago R&B superstar R. Kelly has formally asked President Donald Trump to commute his 30-year sentence for an array of sexual misconduct convictions.

chicagotribune.com

In granting compassionate release for convicted fraudster Yale Schiff, a federal judge says she's "deeply troubled" that the U.S. attorney's office did not oppose it, which they routinely do in almost every case. She says this could influence treatment of future defendants:

JUST IN: After abruptly dropping the original charges, the feds have now indicted at least one of the defendants accused in an ATF weapons sting that led to the shooting of two suspects, according to this defense filing today. The case is sealed on the docket www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/19/c...

Federal appeals court upholds Illinois assault weapons ban, overturning lower court ruling in what could be a short-lived victory for Gov. JB Pritzker www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/09/i... @petrellareports.bsky.social and @jeremygorner.bsky.social reporting

Federal appeals court upholds Illinois assault weapons ban, overturning lower court ruling

In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Illinois law is “consistent with our regulatory tradition.”

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: In a 2-1 decision, the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has REVERSED the lower court decisions overturning Illinois' law banning certain assault weapons, which passed in the wake of the July 4, 2022 mass shooting in Highland Park:

Judge says US Attorney Andrew Boutros violated her sealing order in Tren de Aragua case, but issues no sanctions. Boutros, meanwhile, says he thought the charges would be unsealed ahead of his DC news conference. "The stars were not aligned." STORY: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/09/a...

Judge says US Attorney Andrew Boutros violated her order in Tren de Aragua case, but issues no sanctions

A contrite U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros told a federal magistrate judge Thursday he was confident that a murder and kidnapping case involving the Tren de Aragua gang would have been unsealed by the ti...

chicagotribune.com

Judge says US Attorney Andrew Boutros violated her sealing order in Tren de Aragua case, but issues no sanctions. Boutros, meanwhile, says he thought the charges would be unsealed ahead of his DC news conference. "The stars were not aligned." Story: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/09/a...

Judge says US Attorney Andrew Boutros violated her order in Tren de Aragua case, but issues no sanctions

A contrite U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros told a federal magistrate judge Thursday he was confident that a murder and kidnapping case involving the Tren de Aragua gang would have been unsealed by the ti...

chicagotribune.com

US Attorney Andrew Boutros has entered the courtroom for this hearing, along with his top assistant, Jason Yonan.

Jason Meisner@jmetr22b.bsky.social · 4w ago

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros has been ordered to appear before a magistrate judge at 10 a.m. over “possible” violations of her sealing order in a murder/kidnapping case. It’s a relatively minor issue- but certainly an unusual spectacle I’ll bring the highligts: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/08/u...