CHICAGO — Former Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino retired while under internal investigation for his conduct during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis and Chicago, records released last week by the federal government show.

In early March, an internal government watchdog contacted Bovino with an “official Inquiry into allegations of misconduct reported to CBP,” emails released by Customs and Border Patrol show.

The official, whose name was redacted by the agency, asked Bovino to acknowledge receipt of the document and answer questions. That email went out on March 2, according to the records.

Days later, on March 18, Bovino emailed an official informing them that he plans to retire and move.

Bovino retired from CBP later that month after leading controversial immigration enforcement operations across the country, including the deadly Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago last fall and Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis earlier this year.

In a direct message on X, Bovino told the Tribune Monday he was placed under investigation “to CAUSE me to retire.”

It’s not clear why the emails were released. CBP posted them on their public Freedom of Information Act portal last week as “frequently requested records.” But the records show that the agency had questions about federal judge Sara Ellis finding last fall that Bovino’s testimony was “not credible” in a Chicago court case about whether agents had violated the civil rights of protesters and media.

“Bovino appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing ‘cute’ responses to Plaintiffs’ counsel’s questions or outright lying,” Ellis wrote.

The letter from the federal official to Bovino also asked him to weigh in on the question: “What do you think should happen to a Border Patrol agent when a U.S. District Judge has found his ‘testimony not credible’?”

Under Supreme Court case Giglio v. United States, the letter sent to Bovino notes, prosecutors must disclose when an official’s credibility “has been compromised due to documented incidents of dishonesty, misconduct, or bias requiring prosecutors to disclose this information.”

“Do you agree that District Judge EIiis’s findings make you ‘Giglio impaired’ as that term is used in the law enforcement community?” the question asked.

The question stemmed from a case last year when the Chicago Headline Club and other media groups sued the federal government over its treatment of protesters and press. The lawsuit led to a sweeping preliminary injunction by Ellis in November limiting federal agents’ use of tear gas and other chemical munitions against members of the media and protesters, and also requiring agents to wear body cameras and clear identification.

The case came to symbolize the havoc Midway Blitz caused in Chicago and shed light on how the operation was carried out, through sworn depositions by Bovino and other leaders as well as the release of body-camera footage showing agents deploying tear gas, pointing guns from passing cars and tackling civilians on the street.

Bovino has long dismissed the judge’s findings.

In the investigative document sent to Bovino, officials also homed in on comments Bovino allegedly made in January while in a meeting with the United States Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis. The questioner asked Bovino if, after learning that the top prosecutor wouldn’t participate because he is an Orthodox Jew and it was a Saturday, Bovino said, “Do orthodox criminals also take off Saturday?”

He was also asked if he made a comment about “chosen people,” an apparent reference to Jewish people, according to the document.

In a written exchange, Bovino told the Tribune both investigations were “drummed up after I left Minnesota.” He said he was falsely accused of lying to Ellis and said one review board “immediately ruled” in his favor. But, Bovino said, CBP commissioner Rodney Scott sent it to another office “for another shot.”

Bovino said he learned about the allegation that he made antisemitic comments from the New York Times.

“Unprecedented to have the media know you are under investigation when you don’t,” Bovino said. “Hired a lawyer who said it was a political hit job.”

Homeland Security officials did not immediately return a request for comment.

Since leaving the government, Bovino has made headlines criticizing the Trump administration’s approach to immigration. Last week, in an interview with former Fox News host and now podcaster Tucker Carlson, Bovino suggested that Trump officials took his security detail because they wanted him dead.

He has also accused the Trump administration of turning its back on mass immigration promises, criticizing border czar Tom Homan as well as Scott. In a recent post, he also made comments that appeared to allude to the behind-the-scenes controversy he experienced at the end of his government career.

“The mission got recast as ‘smarter’ and ‘softer.’ The tempo dropped. Self-deportations stalled. Then Rodney Scott used the dirtiest government trick. He weaponized IA against agents. Open a file. Strip the security detail. Investigate the security,” Bovino posted. “Make the job untenable. Wait for the ‘retirement.’ No public firing. Just process as a weapon.”

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