FBI probes insect attack on Democratic breakfast in Chicago

CHICAGO ? Chicago Police and the FBI are investigating if saboteurs placed bugs in a breakfast buffet prepared for delegates at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.

"Multiple unknown female offenders are alleged to have entered a building...and began placing unknown objects onto tables containing food," the convention's information center said in a statement. "The offenders are believed to have then left the area. One victim was treated and released on-scene. Along with CPD, FBI-Chicago is assisting in the investigation."

One witness told USA TODAY the creatures appeared to be crickets while other reports suggested maggots.

The incident took place at Fairmont Hotel, where delegates from Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri and South Dakota are staying.

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"We were all coming down to breakfast, and there were these two women who had hidden themselves in the bathroom," Indiana delegate Karen Tallian told USA TODAY. "And they ran out and threw maggots into the breakfast buffet." Tallian, a retired state senator, said friends who reached the dining room ahead of her had witnessed the contamination.

The incident was the most recent example of ongoing efforts to disrupt the convention, including multiple bomb threats at hotels where delegates and other attendees are staying. Fox32-TV reported that the threats were made against at least three hotels.

"We ran out every single threat yesterday and they are continuing to come in today," Derek Mayer, the deputy Secret Service special agent in charge, said at a Wednesday morning briefing.

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No one claimed responsibility for the breakfast buffet outrage.

Last month, maggots and other insects were reportedly released at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Chicago has seen nightly protests during the convention by organizations seeking an end to the Gaza war and an end to U.S. military support for Israel.

"All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy," Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga said. "We thank the security team for responding swiftly.”

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The incident occurred around 6:45 am.

"We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement," Fairmont Chicago officials said in a statement. "Our team acted immediately to clean and sanitize the area, ensuring that the event could continue without further incident. We maintain the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness throughout our property and have strict protocols in place to handle any disruptions."

By the time she arrived for breakfast at 7:45, Indiana State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, said, "there was all new food out."

The investigation was first reported by WGN.

Contributing: Medora Lee, USA TODAY; Brittany Carloni, Indianapolis Star

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI investigating insect incident at Dem breakfast in Chicago