<p>Jussie Smollett is a free man. He walked out of jail, merely days after he was given a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He walked out of Cook County Jail and was met with members of his defense team, family and supporters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was granted a stay on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-us-actor-jussie-smollett-jailed-for-staged-attack-461104">sentence</a>, a one-page order unceremoniously released by the Illinois Appellate Court. The order noted that the actor had never been convicted of a violent crime. In fact, the paperwork’s only real demand was that Smollett put up a $150,000 personal recognisance bond.</p>

<p>The gay 39-year-old African-American was found guilty in December of "planning" the fake assault by paying two Nigerian brothers $3,500, and of lying to police in his depositions. He was&nbsp;found guilty of falsely telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 -- an attack prosecutors said he himself staged.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-bella-hadid-regrets-nose-job-at-14-i-wish-i-had-kept-the-nose-of-my-ancestors-463056" hreflang="en">Bella Hadid regrets nose job at 14: I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors</a></p>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-marvel-studios-issues-statement-dont-say-gay-bill-amid-walkout-over-lgbtq-rights-462978" hreflang="en">Marvel Studios issues statement on 'Dont Say Gay' bill amid walkout over LGBTQ rights</a></h2>


Jussie Smollett is a free man. He walked out of jail, merely days after he was given a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime. He walked out of Cook County Jail and was met with members of his defense team, family and supporters.

Jussie Smollett is a free man. He walked out of jail, merely days after he was given a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime. He walked out of Cook County Jail and was met with members of his defense team, family and supporters. He was granted a stay on the sentence, a one-page order unceremoniously released by the Illinois Appellate Court. The order noted that the actor had never been convicted of a violent crime. In fact, the paperwork’s only real demand was that Smollett put up a $150,000 personal recognisance bond. The gay 39-year-old African-American was found guilty in December of "planning" the fake assault by paying two Nigerian brothers $3,500, and of lying to police in his depositions. He was found guilty of falsely telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 -- an attack prosecutors said he himself staged. Also read: Bella Hadid regrets nose job at 14: I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors Marvel Studios issues statement on 'Dont Say Gay' bill amid walkout over LGBTQ rights

Jussie Smollett walks out of jail post serving less than a week of 150-day conviction

<p>US actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to almost five months in prison Thursday after being found guilty of falsely telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 -- an attack prosecutors said he himself staged.</p>

<p>The gay 39-year-old African-American was found guilty in December of "planning" the fake assault by paying two Nigerian brothers $3,500, and of lying to police in his depositions.</p>

<p>"You really crave the attention and you wanted to get the attention," Chicago Judge James Linn told the former "Empire" star as he read out the sentence.</p>

<p>He said the actor had a streak that was "profoundly arrogant and selfish and narcissistic."</p>

<p>"This was premeditated to the extreme... You've destroyed your life as you knew it," Limn said, adding that "you did damage to real hate crimes victims."</p>

<p>He said Smollett was "just a charlatan, pretending to be a victim of a hate crime.".</p>

<p>Smollett, who was to be incarcerated Thursday evening, will have to serve the first 150 days of his sentence in prison as part of a total of 30 months on probation. He must also repay $120,106 to the Chicago Police to cover their investigation costs.</p>

<p>"I'm innocent, I did not do this," Smollet said as the sentence was delivered.</p>

<p>"I’m not suicidal, if something happens when I'm in there [in jail] I did not do it to myself," he added, before leaving the courtroom with a raised fist.</p>

<p>Smollett's lawyers and family had begged the judge for leniency and asked for an alternative to prison, or for a suspended sentence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fallen star of the hit television series "Empire" has always maintained his innocence.</p>

<p>He said he was attacked in the middle of the night on January 29, 2019 in a Chicago street by two masked men who he said they were supporters of then-president Donald Trump.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He told police they made racist and homophobic slurs against him and put a noose around his neck.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prosecutors accused Smollett of hiring two acquaintances, brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, to stage the attack while invoking Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, after the actor had received a legitimate piece of hate mail which he felt was not taken seriously by his employers.</p>

<p>The case took a strange turn when Cook County prosecutors dropped the initial 16 felony counts against him in March 2019.</p>

<p>But he was again indicted in February 2020 by a grand jury in Cook County, which handles crimes in Chicago, on six counts of disorderly conduct related to the alleged false reporting.</p>

<p>The case had initially sent shock waves through a deeply divided country still plagued by racial and sexual discrimination, and the actor had immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles.</p>


US actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to almost five months in prison Thursday after being found guilty of falsely telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 -- an attack prosecutors said he himself staged.

US actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to almost five months in prison Thursday after being found guilty of falsely telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 -- an attack prosecutors said he himself staged. The gay 39-year-old African-American was found guilty in December of "planning" the fake assault by paying two Nigerian brothers $3,500, and of lying to police in his depositions. "You really crave the attention and you wanted to get the attention," Chicago Judge James Linn told the former "Empire" star as he read out the sentence. He said the actor had a streak that was "profoundly arrogant and selfish and narcissistic." "This was premeditated to the extreme... You've destroyed your life as you knew it," Limn said, adding that "you did damage to real hate crimes victims." He said Smollett was "just a charlatan, pretending to be a victim of a hate crime.". Smollett, who was to be incarcerated Thursday evening, will have to serve the first 150 days of his sentence in prison as part of a total of 30 months on probation. He must also repay $120,106 to the Chicago Police to cover their investigation costs. "I'm innocent, I did not do this," Smollet said as the sentence was delivered. "I’m not suicidal, if something happens when I'm in there [in jail] I did not do it to myself," he added, before leaving the courtroom with a raised fist. Smollett's lawyers and family had begged the judge for leniency and asked for an alternative to prison, or for a suspended sentence. The fallen star of the hit television series "Empire" has always maintained his innocence. He said he was attacked in the middle of the night on January 29, 2019 in a Chicago street by two masked men who he said they were supporters of then-president Donald Trump. He told police they made racist and homophobic slurs against him and put a noose around his neck. Prosecutors accused Smollett of hiring two acquaintances, brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, to stage the attack while invoking Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, after the actor had received a legitimate piece of hate mail which he felt was not taken seriously by his employers. The case took a strange turn when Cook County prosecutors dropped the initial 16 felony counts against him in March 2019. But he was again indicted in February 2020 by a grand jury in Cook County, which handles crimes in Chicago, on six counts of disorderly conduct related to the alleged false reporting. The case had initially sent shock waves through a deeply divided country still plagued by racial and sexual discrimination, and the actor had immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles.

US actor Jussie Smollett jailed for staging 'hate crime' attack

<p>The Illinois Supreme Court on Friday refused to throw out charges and to remove special prosecutor against former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/special-prosecutor-to-review-actor-jussie-smolletts-case-judge-245603">Special prosecutor to review actor Jussie Smollett's case: judge</a></p>

<p>Smollett's lawyers argued in an emergency petition that Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin overstepped his authority and misinterpreted the law when he ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BphV6_hh3K0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">“What this country needs is more unemployed politicians.” - #AngelaDavis #VOTE dammit. Please. I won’t give up if you don’t. 🙏🏿✊🏿🙏🏿 #November6 #StayFocused</a></p>

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<p>The court on Friday rejected the arguments without explaining the decision.</p>

<p>Smollett, 37, was initially accused by the prosecutors of falsely reporting to police that the alleged phoney attack was real.</p>


The Illinois Supreme Court on Friday refused to throw out charges and to remove special prosecutor against former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett. Also read: Special prosecutor to review actor Jussie Smollett's case: judge Smollett's lawyers argued in an emergency petition that Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin overstepped his authority and misinterpreted the law when he ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor.

The Illinois Supreme Court on Friday refused to throw out charges and to remove special prosecutor against former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett. Also read: Special prosecutor to review actor Jussie Smollett's case: judge Smollett's lawyers argued in an emergency petition that Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin overstepped his authority and misinterpreted the law when he ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor. View this post on Instagram “What this country needs is more unemployed politicians.” - #AngelaDavis #VOTE dammit. Please. I won’t give up if you don’t. 🙏🏿✊🏿🙏🏿 #November6 #StayFocused A post shared by @ jussiesmollett on Oct 29, 2018 at 7:49am PDT × The court on Friday rejected the arguments without explaining the decision. Smollett, 37, was initially accused by the prosecutors of falsely reporting to police that the alleged phoney attack was real.

Illinois Supreme court rejects Jussie Smollett's attempt to throw out charges

<p>A US television actor who was accused of fabricating a hate crime was indicted on six counts related to the incident on Tuesday after all charges against him were dropped last year.</p>

<p>Former 'Empire'&nbsp;star Jussie Smollett was indicted by a grand jury in Cook County, which handles crimes in Chicago, on six counts of disorderly conduct related to the alleged false reporting.</p>

<p>The 37-year-old, who had been one of the Fox musical drama's main cast members, was accused of masterminding a hoax attack in Chicago to gain publicity and secure a bigger paycheck.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He reported to police in January 2019 that he was attacked in the middle of the night by two masked men while walking near his home in the large midwestern city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Chicago police eventually said he staged the whole thing.</p>

<p>Smollett, who is gay and African American, maintained his innocence in the face of a damning public account from authorities of their case against him.</p>

<p>They accused him of sending himself a threatening letter -- complete with homophobic and racial slurs -- and hiring two acquaintances to stage the attack while invoking Donald Trump's&nbsp; "Make America Great Again" slogan.</p>

<p>The curious case got even weirder when Cook County prosecutors eventually dropped the initial 16 felony counts against him last March.</p>

<p>The city did, however, send a letter to Smollett's attorneys, asking the actor to pay the $130,000 cost of overtime work related to the police investigation.</p>

<p>The episode revived America's long-simmering debate about how just the country's criminal justice system really is, whether the rich get off easy -- and whether prosecutors should have so much discretion.</p>


A US television actor who was accused of fabricating a hate crime was indicted on six counts related to the incident on Tuesday after all charges against him were dropped last year.

A US television actor who was accused of fabricating a hate crime was indicted on six counts related to the incident on Tuesday after all charges against him were dropped last year. Former 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett was indicted by a grand jury in Cook County, which handles crimes in Chicago, on six counts of disorderly conduct related to the alleged false reporting. The 37-year-old, who had been one of the Fox musical drama's main cast members, was accused of masterminding a hoax attack in Chicago to gain publicity and secure a bigger paycheck. He reported to police in January 2019 that he was attacked in the middle of the night by two masked men while walking near his home in the large midwestern city. But Chicago police eventually said he staged the whole thing. Smollett, who is gay and African American, maintained his innocence in the face of a damning public account from authorities of their case against him. They accused him of sending himself a threatening letter -- complete with homophobic and racial slurs -- and hiring two acquaintances to stage the attack while invoking Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. The curious case got even weirder when Cook County prosecutors eventually dropped the initial 16 felony counts against him last March. The city did, however, send a letter to Smollett's attorneys, asking the actor to pay the $130,000 cost of overtime work related to the police investigation. The episode revived America's long-simmering debate about how just the country's criminal justice system really is, whether the rich get off easy -- and whether prosecutors should have so much discretion.

US actor Jussie Smollett charged in relation to attack hoax

<p>Jussie Smollett has filed a lawsuit accusing Chicago of maliciously prosecuting him after concluding that the actor's claim to having been the victim of a racist and homophobic beating on a city street was a hoax.</p>

<p>Smollett, 37, best known for his work on the Fox television drama 'Empire,'&nbsp;made his accusation in counterclaims filed on Wednesday, after Chicago sued him to recoup $130,106 in police overtime costs to investigate the beating claim.</p>

<p>He accused the city, police and others of causing "substantial economic damages as well as reputational harm, humiliation, mental anguish and extreme emotional distress," and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.</p>

<p>“The city stands by its original complaint and will continue to pursue this litigation," Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for Chicago's law department, said by email. "We fully expect to be successful in defeating these counterclaims."</p>

<p>Smollett, who is black and gay, ignited a social media firestorm after telling the police on Jan. 29 that two masked men had thrown a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him and shouted racial and homophobic slurs while expressing support for U.S. President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>Illinois prosecutors charged Smollett on Feb. 20 with making up the attack, including by hiring two brothers to stage it, and falsely reporting "high-profile hate crime" to draw publicity after becoming dissatisfied with his "Empire" salary.</p>

<p>But they dropped the criminal case on March 26, drawing anger from Chicago's police department and then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who called it a "whitewash of justice."</p>

<p>Smollett pleaded not guilty to lying about the attack and has long said he was truthful about it.</p>

<p>Chicago nonetheless sought triple damages in its April 11 civil lawsuit to recoup overtime costs.</p>

<p>Smollett played singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon on 'Empire'&nbsp;but was dropped from the show after the alleged attack.</p>

<p>The counterclaims were filed against Chicago, the brothers and a number of police officers and employees.</p>

<p>Smollett accused police of trying to prosecute him based on the brothers' "false, self-serving and unreliable statements in order to close the investigation into the attack."</p>

<p>He also said Chicago could not recover investigative costs because it already accepted his $10,000 "payment in full" in connection with the dismissal of the criminal case.</p>

<p>Without ruling on the merits, US District Judge Virginia Kendall on Oct. 22 refused to dismiss Chicago's civil lawsuit against Smollett, saying his high profile and "the extreme nature of the accusations" could explain the overtime costs.</p>

<p>The case is Chicago v. Smollett, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, No. 19-04547.</p>


Jussie Smollett has filed a lawsuit accusing Chicago of maliciously prosecuting him after concluding that the actor's claim to having been the victim of a racist and homophobic beating on a city street was a hoax.

Jussie Smollett has filed a lawsuit accusing Chicago of maliciously prosecuting him after concluding that the actor's claim to having been the victim of a racist and homophobic beating on a city street was a hoax. Smollett, 37, best known for his work on the Fox television drama 'Empire,' made his accusation in counterclaims filed on Wednesday, after Chicago sued him to recoup $130,106 in police overtime costs to investigate the beating claim. He accused the city, police and others of causing "substantial economic damages as well as reputational harm, humiliation, mental anguish and extreme emotional distress," and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. “The city stands by its original complaint and will continue to pursue this litigation," Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for Chicago's law department, said by email. "We fully expect to be successful in defeating these counterclaims." Smollett, who is black and gay, ignited a social media firestorm after telling the police on Jan. 29 that two masked men had thrown a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him and shouted racial and homophobic slurs while expressing support for U.S. President Donald Trump. Illinois prosecutors charged Smollett on Feb. 20 with making up the attack, including by hiring two brothers to stage it, and falsely reporting "high-profile hate crime" to draw publicity after becoming dissatisfied with his "Empire" salary. But they dropped the criminal case on March 26, drawing anger from Chicago's police department and then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who called it a "whitewash of justice." Smollett pleaded not guilty to lying about the attack and has long said he was truthful about it. Chicago nonetheless sought triple damages in its April 11 civil lawsuit to recoup overtime costs. Smollett played singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon on 'Empire' but was dropped from the show after the alleged attack. The counterclaims were filed against Chicago, the brothers and a number of police officers and employees. Smollett accused police of trying to prosecute him based on the brothers' "false, self-serving and unreliable statements in order to close the investigation into the attack." He also said Chicago could not recover investigative costs because it already accepted his $10,000 "payment in full" in connection with the dismissal of the criminal case. Without ruling on the merits, US District Judge Virginia Kendall on Oct. 22 refused to dismiss Chicago's civil lawsuit against Smollett, saying his high profile and "the extreme nature of the accusations" could explain the overtime costs. The case is Chicago v. Smollett, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, No. 19-04547.

Jussie Smollett sues Chicago for malicious prosecution over alleged racist attack

<p>A Chicago judge on Friday named a special prosecutor to probe the case involving former 'Empire'&nbsp;actor Jussie Smollett's allegation that he was the victim of a racist attack, which authorities have ruled a hoax.</p>

<p>Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed former US&nbsp;Attorney Dan Webb to investigate the case.</p>

<p>Smollett, who is black and gay, told the police on Jan. 29 that two masked men threw a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressing support for Republican US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>Toomin said Webb, a former US&nbsp;attorney who won a conviction of one of former President Ronald Reagan's advisers for his role in the 1980s Iran-Contra scandal, was "guided by a strong moral compass and integrity."</p>

<p>A month after Smollett made the allegation, State's Attorney Kim Foxx charged Smollett, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama Empire,&nbsp;with filing a false police report and accused him of paying $3,500 to two men to stage the attack to generate public sympathy.</p>

<p>In March, to the dismay of local politicians and police officials, Foxx's office dropped the charges, saying an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome.</p>

<p>Smollett has denied staging the attack.</p>

<p>Foxx also recused herself from the case because of conversations she had about the incident with one of Smollett's relatives.</p>

<p>Toomin told the Chicago Tribune in June that the case's "unprecedented irregularities" warranted the appointment of a special prosecutor "to restore the public's confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system."</p>

<p>Webb's investigation could bring fresh charges against Smollett and charges against anyone else who is believed to have committed a crime during the incident and investigation, the Tribune reported, citing Toomin's ruling in June.</p>

<p>Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of Empire&nbsp;this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime.</p>


A Chicago judge on Friday named a special prosecutor to probe the case involving former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett's allegation that he was the victim of a racist attack, which authorities have ruled a hoax.

A Chicago judge on Friday named a special prosecutor to probe the case involving former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett's allegation that he was the victim of a racist attack, which authorities have ruled a hoax. Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed former US Attorney Dan Webb to investigate the case. Smollett, who is black and gay, told the police on Jan. 29 that two masked men threw a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressing support for Republican US President Donald Trump. Toomin said Webb, a former US attorney who won a conviction of one of former President Ronald Reagan's advisers for his role in the 1980s Iran-Contra scandal, was "guided by a strong moral compass and integrity." A month after Smollett made the allegation, State's Attorney Kim Foxx charged Smollett, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama Empire, with filing a false police report and accused him of paying $3,500 to two men to stage the attack to generate public sympathy. In March, to the dismay of local politicians and police officials, Foxx's office dropped the charges, saying an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome. Smollett has denied staging the attack. Foxx also recused herself from the case because of conversations she had about the incident with one of Smollett's relatives. Toomin told the Chicago Tribune in June that the case's "unprecedented irregularities" warranted the appointment of a special prosecutor "to restore the public's confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system." Webb's investigation could bring fresh charges against Smollett and charges against anyone else who is believed to have committed a crime during the incident and investigation, the Tribune reported, citing Toomin's ruling in June. Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of Empire this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime.

Special prosecutor to review actor Jussie Smollett's case: judge

<p>The case of ex-'Empire'&nbsp;actor Jussie Smollett, who sparked a firestorm in Chicago by reporting racist attack authorities have ruled a hoax, returns to court on Friday when local media say a judge may tap a special prosecutor to review the case.</p>

<p>The actor, who is black and gay, stunned the city when he told police on Jan. 29 that two masked men threw a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressing support for US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>A month later, State's Attorney Kim Foxx charged Smollett, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama "Empire," with filing a false police report and accused him of paying $3,500 to two men to stage the attack to generate public sympathy.</p>

<p>Smollett has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/empire-actor-jussie-smollett-pleads-not-guilty-to-lying-about-racist-attack-203398">denied staging the attack.</a></p>

<p>Foxx also recused herself from the case because of conversations she had about the incident with one of Smollett’s relatives.</p>

<p>In March, to the dismay of local politicians and police officials, Foxx's office dropped the charges, saying an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome.</p>

<p>Cook County Judge Michael Toomin scheduled a status hearing related to the case for Friday morning. Court records do not indicate the purpose of the hearing, but local newspapers reported the only outstanding item remaining in the case is for Toomin to name a special prosecutor.</p>

<p>In June, Toomin said he would appoint a special prosecutor to the case after receiving a petition from former Illinois appellate court Judge Sheila O’Brien.</p>

<p>Toomin said at the time the case's "unprecedented irregularities" warranted the appointment "to restore the public's confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system," the Tribune reported.</p>

<p>The special prosecutor could bring fresh charges against Smollett and charges against anyone else who is believed to have committed a crime during the incident and investigation, the Tribune reported, citing Toomin's ruling in June.</p>

<p>The actor's criminal defence attorney, Mark Geragos, could not be reached for comment.</p>

<p>Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of Empire&nbsp;this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime.</p>


The case of ex-'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett, who sparked a firestorm in Chicago by reporting racist attack authorities have ruled a hoax, returns to court on Friday when local media say a judge may tap a special prosecutor to review the case.

The case of ex-'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett, who sparked a firestorm in Chicago by reporting racist attack authorities have ruled a hoax, returns to court on Friday when local media say a judge may tap a special prosecutor to review the case. The actor, who is black and gay, stunned the city when he told police on Jan. 29 that two masked men threw a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressing support for US President Donald Trump. A month later, State's Attorney Kim Foxx charged Smollett, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama "Empire," with filing a false police report and accused him of paying $3,500 to two men to stage the attack to generate public sympathy. Smollett has denied staging the attack. Foxx also recused herself from the case because of conversations she had about the incident with one of Smollett’s relatives. In March, to the dismay of local politicians and police officials, Foxx's office dropped the charges, saying an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome. Cook County Judge Michael Toomin scheduled a status hearing related to the case for Friday morning. Court records do not indicate the purpose of the hearing, but local newspapers reported the only outstanding item remaining in the case is for Toomin to name a special prosecutor. In June, Toomin said he would appoint a special prosecutor to the case after receiving a petition from former Illinois appellate court Judge Sheila O’Brien. Toomin said at the time the case's "unprecedented irregularities" warranted the appointment "to restore the public's confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system," the Tribune reported. The special prosecutor could bring fresh charges against Smollett and charges against anyone else who is believed to have committed a crime during the incident and investigation, the Tribune reported, citing Toomin's ruling in June. The actor's criminal defence attorney, Mark Geragos, could not be reached for comment. Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of Empire this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime.

Chicago judge may tap special prosecutor to review actor Jussie Smollett's case

<p>US television network Fox on Tuesday renewed drama series 'Empire' for a sixth season but said there were no plans to bring back the character played by Jussie Smollett, the actor who said he was the victim of a hate crime in January.<br />
<br />
Chicago police accused Smollett of making up an attack against him, but the actor maintained his innocence and prosecutors dismissed criminal charges against him.<br />
<br />
Smollett played gay singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon on the show about a family in the hip-hop entertainment business. Fox did leave a door open to possibly bring Smollett back by extending an option on his contract.<br />
<br />
"By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to `Empire,`" according to a statement from 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment.<br />
<br />
'Empire' airs on the Fox broadcast network, a unit of Fox Corp. The series is produced by the Fox television studio, which was recently sold to Walt Disney Co.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A spokesperson for Smollett said in a statement that the actor was "grateful to Fox and `Empire` leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support."<br />
<br />
"We`ve been told that Jussie will not be on `Empire` in the beginning of the season, but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open," the spokesperson said.<br />
<br />
Smollett, 36, who is black and gay, ignited a firestorm by telling police on 29th January 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.<br />
<br />
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.'<br />
<br />
He was charged in February with staging the incident and filing a false police report, but Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutors dropped all charges against him in March.<br />
<br />
Smollett admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to do community service and give up $10,000 in bond money.<br />
<br />
In April, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking three times the damages it said it incurred in the investigation of the incident.</p>


US television network Fox on Tuesday renewed drama series 'Empire' for a sixth season but said there were no plans to bring back the character played by Jussie Smollett, the actor who said he was the victim of a hate crime in January.

US television network Fox on Tuesday renewed drama series 'Empire' for a sixth season but said there were no plans to bring back the character played by Jussie Smollett, the actor who said he was the victim of a hate crime in January. Chicago police accused Smollett of making up an attack against him, but the actor maintained his innocence and prosecutors dismissed criminal charges against him. Smollett played gay singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon on the show about a family in the hip-hop entertainment business. Fox did leave a door open to possibly bring Smollett back by extending an option on his contract. "By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to `Empire,`" according to a statement from 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment. 'Empire' airs on the Fox broadcast network, a unit of Fox Corp. The series is produced by the Fox television studio, which was recently sold to Walt Disney Co. A spokesperson for Smollett said in a statement that the actor was "grateful to Fox and `Empire` leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support." "We`ve been told that Jussie will not be on `Empire` in the beginning of the season, but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open," the spokesperson said. Smollett, 36, who is black and gay, ignited a firestorm by telling police on 29th January 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.' He was charged in February with staging the incident and filing a false police report, but Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutors dropped all charges against him in March. Smollett admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to do community service and give up $10,000 in bond money. In April, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking three times the damages it said it incurred in the investigation of the incident.

Fox renews 'Empire' without Jussie Smollett's character

<p>Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett for the costs of police overtime spent investigating his claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, which prosecutors say were false, a city lawyer said on Thursday.<br />
<br />
The lawsuit was being prepared after Smollett, 36, refused a demand by the city for $130,000, said Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for the city`s Department of Law.<br />
<br />
"Mr. Smollett has refused to reimburse the City of Chicago for the cost of police overtime spent investigating his false police report on January 29, 2019, McCaffrey said. "The Law Department is now drafting a civil complaint that will be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook Country."&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Smollett, who is black and gay, touched off a social media fire storm by telling police on Jan. 29 that two apparent supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
But the actor, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama “Empire,” was charged in February with staging the incident himself and filing a false police report.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Last week prosecutors dropped all charges against Smollett, infuriating police and outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The case file was sealed by a Chicago judge, which critics suggested was evidence of a cover-up.<br />
<br />
The actor`s criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, could not be reached for comment.<br />
<br />
On Monday, some 300 people, including off-duty Chicago police officers, took to the streets to protest, calling on Cook County State`s Attorney Kim Foxx to resign over her handling of the case.<br />
<br />
Foxx, who recused herself from the case before charges were filed, citing conversations she had with one of his relatives, has defended her actions and those of her prosecutors.<br />
<br />
Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of 'Empire'&nbsp;this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime. Fox executives have not said if he will return should the show be renewed for another year.</p>


Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett for the costs of police overtime spent investigating his claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, which prosecutors say were false, a city lawyer said on Thursday.

Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett for the costs of police overtime spent investigating his claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, which prosecutors say were false, a city lawyer said on Thursday. The lawsuit was being prepared after Smollett, 36, refused a demand by the city for $130,000, said Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for the city`s Department of Law. "Mr. Smollett has refused to reimburse the City of Chicago for the cost of police overtime spent investigating his false police report on January 29, 2019, McCaffrey said. "The Law Department is now drafting a civil complaint that will be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook Country." Smollett, who is black and gay, touched off a social media fire storm by telling police on Jan. 29 that two apparent supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him. But the actor, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama “Empire,” was charged in February with staging the incident himself and filing a false police report. Last week prosecutors dropped all charges against Smollett, infuriating police and outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The case file was sealed by a Chicago judge, which critics suggested was evidence of a cover-up. The actor`s criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, could not be reached for comment. On Monday, some 300 people, including off-duty Chicago police officers, took to the streets to protest, calling on Cook County State`s Attorney Kim Foxx to resign over her handling of the case. Foxx, who recused herself from the case before charges were filed, citing conversations she had with one of his relatives, has defended her actions and those of her prosecutors. Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of 'Empire' this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime. Fox executives have not said if he will return should the show be renewed for another year.

Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett after he refuses to pay for police overtime

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