U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros acknowledged speaking to a federal grand jury that later indicted the “Broadview Six” protesters, addressing controversy over his office’s handling of the case.

His office said the appearance was meant to reinforce grand jurors’ legal responsibilities amid earlier jury disagreements, including one panel that had refused to indict.

Defense attorneys argued his comments amounted to improper personal influence, pointing to his remarks about handling dissenting jurors.

The former defendants have since filed motions accusing prosecutors of misconduct and seeking sanctions, ABC 7 Chicago has reported.

Meanwhile, Illinois senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have called for Boutros’s resignation, citing alleged dysfunction and irregularities in the case.