Jason Meisner

Jason Meisner has covered the federal courts beat since 2013, writing about political corruption, terrorism and gang racketeering. In 2018, he was part of the Tribune's award-winning team covering the historic murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Dr. Anosh Ahmed, former chief operating officer at Loretto Hospital, on April 30, 2020. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

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

July 16, 2026 at 4:34 p.m.

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...

Former Summit police Chief John Kosmowski leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Dec. 10, 2025, after being found guilty of taking a bribe and obstructing justice. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

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

July 16, 2026 at 1:53 p.m.

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...

R. Kelly appears before Judge Lawrence Flood at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on June 6, 2019. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

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

July 15, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

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.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros holds a press conference at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on July 2, 2026, to talk about a multi-agency crime fighting operation that was run in the region. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Embattled US Attorney Andrew Boutros under fire again, this time as judge says he violated order sealing gang case

July 10, 2026 at 10:14 a.m.

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...

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Chicago Bureau Doug DePodesta answers questions in his office at the FBI Chicago Division headquarters on May 29, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago FBI boss forced into early retirement, skips lunch with US Attorney Boutros

July 9, 2026 at 3:17 p.m.

Douglas DePodesta's impressive FBI career came to an abrupt end this week as he was forced to retire early due to a falling out with bosses in the Justice Department,...

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros holds a news conference at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on July 2, 2026, to talk about a multiagency crime fighting operation in the region. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Judge to bring US Attorney Andrew Boutros to court over Tren de Aragua case

July 9, 2026 at 7:42 a.m.

A federal magistrate judge on Wednesday refused to cancel a hearing where U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros potentially would have to explain why he publicly discussed murder and kidnapping charges against...

Kat Abughazaleh shouts into a bullhorn during a protest near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Sept. 26, 2025, in Broadview. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

‘Broadview Six’ blowback to heat up for US attorney in coming weeks

July 7, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

For weeks, Chicago's U.S. attorney's office has tried to tamp down a scandal over alleged misconduct in grand jury sessions by focusing on a single prosecutor who handled the now-defunct...

Diego Lopes celebrates during a featherweight bout against Steve Garcia during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 14, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Chicago man charged with obstructing investigation into alleged White House UFC attack plot

June 26, 2026 at 5:41 p.m.

A 20-year-old Chicago man, Alexander Iniguez Mercado, was charged with one count of obstruction of justice.

Anthony Gonzalez Alvarez, 27, of Lyons, left, and his attorney, Ricardo Meza, leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on April 15, 2026, after a hearing for a plea deal for impeding a federal agent during Operation Midway Blitz in October. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

First felony conviction from Operation Midway Blitz on rocks amid grand jury scandal

June 25, 2026 at 6:23 p.m.

One of the only felony convictions secured by federal prosecutors in Operation Midway Blitz now appears to be under threat as a scandal over alleged grand jury misconduct continues to...

Federal prosecutors say fraudulently obtained funds from Daniel Robinson's Oak Lawn methadone clinic were used to purchase a 42-foot-long yacht named "Butt Nekkid." (U.S. District Court)

Feds: Owner of Oak Lawn methadone clinic stole millions, funded lavish lifestyle including yacht ‘Butt Nekkid’

June 23, 2026 at 5:50 p.m.

The owner of an Oak Lawn methadone clinic has been charged in a massive fraud scheme that allegedly swindled tens of millions of dollars from government programs.

All Stories