Tag: Jussie Smollet

Chicago Sues ‘Empire’ Actor for Police Costs

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The city of Chicago filed a lawsuit Thursday against Jussie Smollett, saying the actor owes it more than $130,000 for police costs incurred in the investigation of a hate crime that authorities allege was phony, according to legal documents. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court more than two weeks after prosecutors in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed all criminal charges against the “Empire” actor. Chicago officials previously said they would sue Smollett after he refused a demand by the city for $130,000 to cover police overtime costs. The actor’s criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Smollett, 36, who is black and gay, ignited a firestorm on social media by telling police on Jan. 29 that two apparent supporters of President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs on a Chicago street. After weeks of investigation, Chicago police determined that Smollett cooked up the scheme, in which they allege he hired two brothers to pose as his attackers, because he was dissatisfied with his salary on “Empire.” Smollett, best known for his role on…

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Attorneys for Jussie Smollett: All Criminal Charges Dropped Against ‘Empire’ Actor

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Attorneys for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett said Tuesday that charges alleging he lied to police about a racist and homophobic attack have been dropped. Smollett attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement that Smollett’s record “has been wiped clean.” Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men. Among the questions that weren’t immediately answered was whether prosecutors still believe Smollett concocted the attack and whether there’s new evidence that altered their view of events. Typically, a minimum condition of dropping cases is some acceptance of responsibility. In a statement, the Cook County prosecutors’ office offered no detailed explanation. “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 statement from spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said. Smollett had made a $10,000 bond payment to get out of jail after his arrest on the charges. Police and prosecutors have said Smollett falsely reported to authorities that he was attacked around 2 a.m.…

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EXCLUSIVE Pastor Darrell Scott Commentary: On Race, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson Proved to be Everything Jussie Smollett Is Not

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by Darrell Scott   Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson was the “hero” to hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett’s “zero” last week. While Smollett selfishly tried to exploit the country’s racial divisions for personal benefit, Johnson did everything he could to minimize the harm caused by Smollett’s made-up claim that he was the victim of a racially motivated attack. “Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations?” Johnson asked at his press conference detailing the evidence of Smollett’s hoax. As a child of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, our hope and dream for the future was birthed out of Dr. King’s vision of different races sitting together at the table of brotherhood; which vision I see manifest today in the lives of my grandchildren. We looked forward to a day when our children and grandchildren would live in a society free of racial oppression and negative stereotypes of other races. America has made tremendous strides toward racial reconciliation, and the last thing this country needs is for those who only READ about what SOME of us have actually LIVED through, to try to provoke Americans to re-visit and revive the…

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Jussie Smollett Arrested After Alleged ‘MAGA’ Hoax

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by Molly Prince   “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett turned himself into police custody after he was charged on allegations related to disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, police said Thursday. “Press Briefing: Jussie Smollet is under arrest and in custody of detectives,” tweeted Anthony Guglielmi, chief communications officer for the Chicago Police Department. “At 9am at #ChicagoPolice Headquarters, Supt Eddie Johnson, Commander of Area Central Detectives Edward Wodnicki will brief reporters on the investigation prior to the defendants appearance in court.” – Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019 Felony criminal charges have been approved by @CookCountySAO against Jussie Smollett for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report. Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest. pic.twitter.com/LvBSYE2kVj — Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019 Felony charges were filed against Smollett on Wednesday evening stemming from a hate crime he allegedly coordinated against himself in January. Smollett claimed two men beat him up late at night while walking in Chicago. He further claimed the men tied a noose around his neck and poured a bleach-like substance on him while shouting racist and homophobic slurs. In a follow-up interview with the Chicago…

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