Criminal Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett, Record Wiped Clean

Criminal Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett, Record Wiped Clean

Attorneys for embattled Empire actor Jussie Smollett have stated that all charges have been dropped and his record has been wiped clean regarding allegations that he lied to Chicago police about a possible hate crime attack.

“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 from Smollett’s attorneys read.

The Cook County State Attorney’s Office has also released a statement:

Smollett’s family has also released a statement:

The judge has also ordered the case sealed.

Smollett had been facing 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for making a false police report after he claimed he was attacked and beaten in Chicago on January 29. The attackers allegedly yelled racist and homophobic slurs at the actor and put a noose around his neck.

Smollett had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police in Chicago initially arrested two brothers in the attack after video from nearby security cameras showed them in the area at the time Smollett was beaten. The two men, who had appeared as extras on Empire, the Fox show on which the actor stars, claimed that he had paid them to stage the attack.

Prosecutors alleged that Smollett had wanted to stage the attack after a threatening, anonymous letter he sent to the set of his show did not gain any media attention.

Smollett made a statement outside the courthouse after the charges were dropped.

“I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain. I’ve been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one,” he said.

Justin Baragona

Justin Baragona is the founder/publisher of Contemptor and a contributor to The Daily Beast. He was previously the Cable News Correspondent for Mediaite and prior to starting Contemptor, he worked on the editorial staff of PoliticusUSA. During that time, he had his work quoted by USA Today and BBC News, among others. Justin began his published career as a political writer for 411Mania. He resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife and pets.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *