In a stunning turnaround, the “Empire” actor has been charged again for allegedly faking a hate crime attack after the Cook County state’s attorney’s office dropped the charges.
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Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse after prosecutors dropped all charges against him last year. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
After having the charges initially dropped against him, Jussie Smollett was indicted Tuesday again in connection with allegedly staging a fake hate crime attack.
Smollett faces six charges related to making four separate false reports to police. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 24.
On Friday, the special prosecutor in the case, Dan Webb called a meeting with Smollett’s defense attorneys, including Tina Glandian, at his office, according to a source familiar with the matter. Smollett attended the meeting and denied he was involved in a crime, the source said.
Investigators in the case have gone to California to interview people connected to Smollett, the source said. Some of those investigators were the same Chicago police officers who had worked on the original case, the source said.
The indictment comes just under a year after Smollet was charged in 2019 for allegedly staging the attack near his Streeterville home.
Webb, a former U.S. Attorney in Chicago, was appointed by Judge Michael Toomin six months ago and charged with reviewing both the evidence against Smollett with the possibility of filing new charges, and investigating how the case was handled by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and her subordinates.
Toomin declined to answer any questions earlier Tuesday about a possible indictment.
Smollett in February 2019 was charged with multiple, low-level felony counts for allegedly providing false information about the attack, claiming that he was jumped by two white men who called out racist, homophobic slurs as they punched the actor and draped a noose over his head.
Detectives determined that Smollett had paid two acquaintances, who had previously served as extras on “Empire” and as Smollett’s personal trainers, to attack him.
Foxx had recused herself from the case the day before those charges were announced, delegating decision-making in the case to her top deputy, Joseph Magats. Just over a month after Smollett turned himself in to police, the State’s Attorney’s Office dropped all charges against Smollett, prompting a firestorm of controversy.
The handling of the prosecution has become a key campaign issue as Foxx runs for re-election.
After having the charges initially dropped against him, Jussie Smollett was indicted Tuesday again in connection with allegedly staging a fake hate crime attack.
Smollett faces six charges related to making four separate false reports to police. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 24.
On Friday, the special prosecutor in the case, Dan Webb called a meeting with Smollett’s defense attorneys, including Tina Glandian, at his office, according to a source familiar with the matter. Smollett attended the meeting and denied he was involved in a crime, the source said.
Investigators in the case have gone to California to interview people connected to Smollett, the source said. Some of those investigators were the same Chicago police officers who had worked on the original case, the source said.
The indictment comes just under a year after Smollet was charged in 2019 for allegedly staging the attack near his Streeterville home.
Webb, a former U.S. Attorney in Chicago, was appointed by Judge Michael Toomin six months ago and charged with reviewing both the evidence against Smollett with the possibility of filing new charges, and investigating how the case was handled by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and her subordinates.
Toomin declined to answer any questions earlier Tuesday about a possible indictment.
Smollett in February 2019 was charged with multiple, low-level felony counts for allegedly providing false information about the attack, claiming that he was jumped by two white men who called out racist, homophobic slurs as they punched the actor and draped a noose over his head.
Detectives determined that Smollett had paid two acquaintances, who had previously served as extras on “Empire” and as Smollett’s personal trainers, to attack him.
Foxx had recused herself from the case the day before those charges were announced, delegating decision-making in the case to her top deputy, Joseph Magats. Just over a month after Smollett turned himself in to police, the State’s Attorney’s Office dropped all charges against Smollett, prompting a firestorm of controversy.
The handling of the prosecution has become a key campaign issue as Foxx runs for re-election.
Perfect timing.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the establishment has made a decision to get rid of Foxx. Her level of incompetence is truly frightening.
DeleteFoxx's failure to prosecute was just a little mistake.
DeleteLightfoot endored Foxx too, their both a disgrace to this city.
ReplyDeleteDude should have been contrite and expressed remorse after the gift he received when the charges were dropped. He had the gall to deny wrongdoing, profess his innocence and sue the City. Stupid is as stupid does.
ReplyDeleteSpot on!
DeleteScumbag Sense of Entitlement
DeleteDo you really think a Cook County will convict Jussie? He's a national treasure!
ReplyDeleteyes, but i predict most of you dumb ass democrats will reelect Foxx next month... just watch
ReplyDelete