Jussie Smollett – All Charges Against ‘Empire’ Actor Dropped

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett – All Charges Against ‘Empire’ Actor Dropped

Great news for Jussie Smollett! On Tuesday, Cook County prosecutors dropped all charges against the “Empire” actor on disorderly conduct charges for allegedly staging a phony attack and claiming he was the victim of a hate crime. The prosecutor announced the dismissal of all 16 counts,

“We believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case”

Smollett’s attoreny issued the following statement:

“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him,” the statement said. “Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement. Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result. Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.”

The 36-year-old actor, who was free on $100,000 bond, has previously denied lying to police or faking the attack. Jussie claimed that he was walking from a Subway to his apartment in around 2 a.m. Jan. 29 when two men walked up, yelled racial and homophobic slurs, hit him and wrapped a noose around his neck. Smollett said they also yelled, “This is MAGA country,” in a reference to President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan of “Make America Great Again.”

Police initially treated the incident as a hate crime, but their focus turned to Smollett after two brothers who were alleged to have been his attackers told police that Smollett had paid them $3,500 to stage the attack, with a promise of an additional $500 later.

Police pieced together much of their evidence by reviewing footage from about 55 police and private surveillance cameras showing the brothers’ movements before and after the attack.

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