Special prosecutor finds ‘substantial abuses of discretion’ in Jussie Smollett case as he concludes investigation

However, Special Prosecutor Dan Webb said he did not find evidence that would support filing criminal charges against Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx or any other Cook County prosecutor. 

By Jon Seidel Aug 17, 2020, 10:00am CDT


Jussie Smollett leaving court in March 2019 after charges were dropped. Sun-Times file
Special Prosecutor Dan Webb announced Monday he had concluded his investigation into the handling of last year’s Jussie Smollett hate-crime prosecution and found that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and her office put out several false and misleading statements about the case.

Webb said he had reached “five major final conclusions” relating to the conduct of Foxx and her office:

• Webb found evidence establishing “substantial abuses of discretion” in prosecuting and dismissing the initial criminal charges filed against Smollett.

• He found evidence “that may rise to the level of a violation of legal ethics by State’s Attorney Foxx” and other Cook County prosecutors “relating to false and/or misleading public statements made about the prosecution.”

• Though he did not find evidence showing Foxx was involved in decision-making after she declared herself recused from the case, Foxx was given frequent updates about the case.

• Webb did not find evidence that would support criminal charges against Foxx or any other Cook County prosecutor.

• He did not find any evidence of “improper influence by any outside third parties” in the decision-making by Foxx’s office regarding the initial charges against Smollett.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.