Former Chicago Prosecutor Ordered to Testify in Wrongful Conviction Lawsuits

Kim Foxx must answer questions about meetings with lawyers who ran exoneration group and sued city at the same time, federal judge rules

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered former Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to sit for a video-recorded deposition in a wrongful conviction lawsuit. Attorneys for the city and a former police detective want to question Foxx about a series of private meetings she allegedly held with lawyers who were leading a prominent exoneration nonprofit while also working for the city's most prolific wrongful conviction law firm.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the blurring of lines between prosecutors' official duties and their private dealings with advocacy groups and law firms that are actively suing the city over wrongful convictions. The outcome could have significant implications for how prosecutors handle post-conviction claims, especially those involving allegations of police misconduct.

The details

At the heart of the dispute is what lawyers for the city and former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara describe as a troubling overlap between Foxx's official prosecutorial decisions and her alleged private dealings with the Exoneration Project, a non-profit organization whose staff lawyers are drawn almost entirely from the firm of Loevy & Loevy, one of the most active and prominent firms suing the city of Chicago over wrongful conviction claims. Attorneys allege that beginning in 2020, Exoneration Project representatives met privately with Foxx and her staff, leading to the creation of a formal internal protocol at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office governing how the office would handle post-conviction claims in cases where Guevara was alleged to have engaged in misconduct.

  • In 2020 and continuing through at least 2022, Exoneration Project representatives allegedly met privately with Foxx and her staff.
  • In late 2022, Foxx announced her office was seeking to vacate murder convictions in eight cases, including those of Madeline Mendoza and Marilyn Mulero, allegedly on the basis that Guevara had been involved in the investigations.
  • Mendoza received a certificate of innocence in 2023, and Mulero received one in 2024, paving the way for them to file lawsuits against the city and Guevara.

The players

Kim Foxx

Former Cook County State's Attorney.

Madeline Mendoza

One of two women seeking millions of dollars from the city and former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara over their alleged wrongful convictions.

Marilyn Mulero

One of two women seeking millions of dollars from the city and former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara over their alleged wrongful convictions.

Reynaldo Guevara

A former Chicago Police Detective who has been the subject of scores of misconduct allegations across dozens of cases.

Josh Tepfer

The executive director of the Exoneration Project, a non-profit legal organization affiliated with the University of Chicago School of Law.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.