* The Sun-Times…

Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros argued late Tuesday that it’s unnecessary to appoint an outside lawyer to probe for misconduct or potentially impose sanctions in the tainted “Broadview Six” case that has created a lasting credibility crisis for his office.

In a 52-page court filing, Boutros pushed back on motions by four of the six Operation Midway Blitz protesters urging U.S. District Judge April Perry to hold a hearing, open criminal contempt proceedings or appoint a special counsel to investigate the apparent prosecutorial misconduct that tanked the case.

Boutros said steps have already been taken to address longtime Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Mecklenburg’s handling of the grand jury that handed up indictments against the six Broadview defendants. […]

“There can be no doubt that mistakes were made in the prosecution of this case,” Boutros acknowledged in his filing. “That is why the United States Attorney’s Office has dismissed all charges and is not contesting former Defendants’ entitlement to attorneys’ fees. It is also why the United States Attorney has implemented substantial root-cause reforms as part of a remediation plan.”

* More from Boutros’ filing…

This case involved irregularities during a time of immense pressure, upheaval, and emotion in the District because of Operation Midway Blitz. Former Defendants have had all charges dismissed and will recover attorneys’ fees under the Hyde Amendment. This Court has already issued a public rebuke in this case that has garnered widespread attention. The AUSAs involved have been under public and private scrutiny, including being subject to OPR’s investigation into this matter. Moreover, robust root-cause changes have been implemented at the United States Attorney’s Office. Those reforms are designed to prevent the very issues that arose here. In addition, many hundreds, if not more than 1,000 grand jury minutes will be reviewed to determine that similar errors do not exist in other cases. Given all of this, the Government respectfully requests that this Court reject former Defendants’ request to do more, specifically opening up criminal contempt proceedings, ordering discovery, holding a hearing, or appointing another attorney to investigate this matter.

* The Tribune…

In a rare mea culpa, the U.S. attorney’s office also acknowledged in the filing that it could have been more candid with U.S. District Judge April Perry when it came to redacting large portions of the grand jury transcripts handed over in the Broadview case.

Those redactions ultimately revealed what was Perry described as blatant misconduct by the lead prosecutor and a failing of the “presumption of regularity” that normally exists between the court and the government.

While defense attorneys have asked for a hearing on sanctions and the appointment of special counsel to look into possible contempt charges, the U.S. attorney’s office said in the filing the court’s message “has been clearly heard and there is no need to do more.” […]

The U.S. attorney’s take on the matter, which was expected, comes nearly two and a half months after the Broadview Six case collapsed days before trial and led to a scandal that is still having repercussions at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, including calls from many local Democrats for Boutros’ resignation.