All Charges Dropped Against ‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett

CHICAGO — (03-26-19) — All charges have been dropped against Jussie Smollet.  In a stunning move on Tuesday morning, prosecutors in Chicago dropped all charges against the former “Empire” actor.  Jussie Smollett was accused of staging a hate crime attack in the city’s downtown in January.

“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the city of Chicago. We believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Prosecutors did not elaborate on whether any new information had surfaced that weakened the case against Mr. Smollett .  Or whether prosecutors had simply changed their mind about pursuing the case.  Smollett agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond..

All Charges Dropped Against actor Jussie Smollett

In a statement, Anne Kavanagh, a spokeswoman for Mr. Smollett’s lawyers, said: “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. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on Jan. 29. 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 judgment.”

The statement went on: “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.”

A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department referred questions on Jussie Smollett to the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer