Jussie Smollet Breaks Silence After Settling Hate Crime Hoax w/ City Of Chicago w/ No Admission Of Guilt: ‘I Am Innocent In The Eyes Of God & Our Criminal Justice System’

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollet Breaks Silence After Settling Hate Crime Hoax w/ City Of Chicago w/ No Admission Of Guilt: I Am Innocent In The Eyes Of God & Our Criminal Justice System

Jussie Smollett is speaking out after a major legal victory in his six-year fight to prove his innocence in connection to the alleged hate crime attack that made national headlines in 2019.

 

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In a post shared to Instagram, the Empire star addressed the dismissal of the civil case filed against him by the City of Chicago, who sought to recover the cost of the police investigation, alleging Jussie falsified a police report and staged his own assault. He wrote:

“Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear. These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear….They have received neither.”

The 42-year-old actor went on to explain that while he initially refused to pay the city, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed after he agreed to make a charitable donation.

“After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed… Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support.”

In 2021, Jussie was convicted on five felony counts of disorderly conduct over the ordeal. He served a brief jail stint in 2022 before being released pending appeal. The civil suit was one of the last remaining legal hurdles tied to the high-profile scandal.

Despite years of backlash and ongoing public debate about the case, Smollett remains adamant about his innocence.

“I am innocent in the eyes of God and our criminal justice system. What I have to do now is move forward,” he added, thanking supporters who stood by him throughout the ordeal.

Smollett’s statement came just one day after news broke that the City of Chicago’s lawsuit had officially been dropped with no admission of guilt in exchange for a $50K donation to charity.