2019 hate crime hoax
Illinois v. SmollettCourtCircuit Court of Cook CountyFull case nameState of Illinois Cook County v. Jussie Smollett[1] DecidedDecember 9, 2021; 12 months ago (2021-12-09)VerdictGuilty on 5 of 6 counts of disorderly conduct for making a false report to the Chicago Police DepartmentProsecutionDan K. WebbSubsequent action(s)Smollett sentenced on March 10, 2022, to 150 days in jail (stayed pending appeal), 30 months of felony court probation, $120,106 restitution to Chicago, and $25,000 fineJudge(s) sittingJames Linn
On January 29, 2019, American actor Jussie Smollett approached the Chicago Police Department and reported a hate crime that he had staged earlier that morning.[2][3] He planned the hate crime with two Nigerian brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who had worked as extras on the set of television drama Empire, in which Smollett was a cast member. During the staged attack, which took place on East Lower North Water Street in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the disguised brothers shouted racial and homophobic slurs while one poured bleach on Smollett and the other placed a noose around his neck. In addition to falsely reporting that he had been attacked by two unknown individuals, Smollett described one of them as a white male.[4][3] He also told police the men shouted “MAGA country” during the attack, a reference to the Trumpist political slogan “Make America Great Again”.[5] The brothers later testified that Smollett staged the attack near a surveillance camera so that video of it could be publicized.[6]
On February 13, 2019, Chicago police raided the home of the Osundairo brothers and found records indicating they had been paid $3,500 by Smollett. They had purchased the rope found around Smollett’s neck at a hardware store in Ravenswood over the weekend of January 25, and were also seen in security camera footage in the clothing store where they bought gloves, ski masks, and a red hat that police said was used in the attack.[7][8] On February 20, Smollett was indicted for disorderly conduct for paying the brothers to stage a fake hate crime and filing a false police report.[9] His defense team reached a deal with prosecutors on March 26, 2019, in which all charges were dropped in return for Smollett performing community service and forfeiting his $10,000 bond.[10]
On April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago sued Smollett for the $130,000 cost of the investigation. In November he countersued, alleging he was the victim of “mass public ridicule and harm”.
On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor was completed, Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts pertaining to making four false police reports.[11][12] In December 2021, Smollett was convicted on five felony counts.[13] On March 10, 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in county jail[14] and was ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution for the overtime spent by Chicago police officers investigating his false reports.[15] Smollett’s attorneys immediately filed an appeal and he was released, pending the outcome of his appeal, on March 16 after posting a personal recognizance bond.
Staged hate crime[edit]
On January 22, 2019, a letter arrived at the Chicago studio of Smollett’s employer. The letter was addressed to Smollett and had a drawing depicting a stick figure hanging from a tree with a gun pointing towards it, as well as lettered magazine clippings reading “Smollett, Jussie you will die” and “MAGA”. The letter also contained a white powder determined to be Tylenol.[16]
On January 29, Smollett announced that he had been attacked early that morning on the 300 block of East Lower North Water Street in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood,[17] in what was initially investigated as a hate crime.[4][18] Chicago police later alleged that Smollett himself was responsible for staging the attack.[19]
Smollett told police that he was attacked by two men, who were “yelling out racial and homophobic slurs” and who “poured an unknown chemical substance on [him]”.[4][20] He described one of the assailants as white, while in reality, both are black.[21][3] They allegedly began to beat Smollett about the face, using their hands, feet, and teeth as weapons in the assault.[22] According to a statement released by Chicago police, the two suspects then “poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim” and at some point during the incident “wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck”.[23] Smollett said that he fought them off. There were surveillance cameras at the location that Smollett assumed had captured the incident, but as it turned out they were facing in the wrong direction.[24] A witness who was near the scene of Smollett’s alleged incident at the time said she heard nothing.[25]
According to Gloria Rodriguez, the lawyer for the assailants, Smollett first drove them to the spot where the attack was supposed to occur for a “dress rehearsal” and told them, “Here’s a camera, there’s a camera and here’s where you are going to run away”.[26] The assailants explained that Smollett’s plan was to post the footage on social media,[6] and that he became very upset when police told him that no cameras had recorded the attack.[27] Smollett was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Not seriously injured, he was released “in good condition” later that morning.[4][28][29]
The police had been called after 2:30 am by Smollett’s manager, Frank Gatson,[30][31] which infuriated the actor because he did not want to involve law enforcement.[32] When they arrived around 2:40 am, Smollett had a white rope around his neck.[33] He later admitted removing the rope and then putting it back on before the police arrived after Gatson told him to do so.[34] Smollett said that the attack may have been motivated by his criticism of the Trump administration[35] and that he believed that the alleged assault was linked to the threatening letter that had been sent to him earlier that month.[16] The FBI would later investigate whether Smollett was involved in composing the letter.[16]
Initial public reaction[edit]
On January 30, 2019, public figures expressed support for Smollett on social media.[18][36] Entertainment industry figures, including Shonda Rhimes and Viola Davis, tweeted their outrage over the attack and support for Smollett.[36] Democratic Senators and presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Cory Booker both described the attack as an attempted modern-day lynching.[37] Booker urged Congress to pass a federal anti-lynching bill co-sponsored by him and Harris.[36][38] In an interview with April Ryan of AURN, President Donald Trump was asked about Smollett being attacked and said, “I think that’s horrible. It doesn’t get worse.”[39] Smollett faced skepticism regarding his claim of being attacked;[40] he responded by saying that he believed that, if he had said his attackers were Mexicans, Muslims, or black people, “the doubters would have supported me much more … And that says a lot about the place that we are in in our country right now.”[40]
Investigation[edit]
On February 13, 2019, Chicago police raided the home of two “persons of interest” in the case. The men, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, were Nigerian immigrant brothers who’d acted as extras on Empire, the television series in which Smollett was a main cast member.[41] Police recovered bleach and other items from the home.[42] The brothers were held in police custody on suspicion of battery but were not charged.[43] According to their attorney, they knew Smollett from working on the show and had also spent time with him at a gym.[43] The two men were released February 15 without being charged with a crime,[44][45] with Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stating their release was “due to new evidence” from the interrogations.[44]
Chicago police later told ABC News: “Police are investigating whether the two individuals committed the attack—or whether the attack happened at all.”[46] On February 16, two unnamed police sources informed CNN that investigators had discovered evidence indicating that Smollett had paid the two brothers $3,500 to stage the attack.[47][48] Financial records indicate that the brothers purchased the rope found around Smollett’s neck at a hardware store in Ravenswood over the weekend of January 25.[49][50] They were seen in security camera footage in a clothing store where they bought the gloves, ski masks and a red hat that police said was used in the attack. The brothers asked specifically for a MAGA hat, which the store did not sell.[51] Chicago Police contacted Smollett’s attorney for additional questioning.[43]
On February 19, 2019, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said that she was recusing herself from the investigation due to her “familiarity with potential witnesses in the case”, prompting criticism from her predecessor, Anita Alvarez. Foxx delegated the case to a subordinate.[52][53] Foxx later acknowledged that she had been in contact with a member of Smollett’s family about the case at an early stage when he was thought to have been a crime victim. Foxx added that Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson had reached out to the FBI about handing the Smollett case off to them, but had informed her that the agency was not interested. Foxx’s office later asserted that she had not formally recused herself from the case; doing so would have required her to ask the court to appoint an outside attorney as a special prosecutor.[54][55]
Police alleged that Smollett staged the attack because he was dissatisfied with his pay on Empire.[56]
Smollett hired crisis manager Chris Bastardi to represent him.[57]
Criminal charges, arrest, and trial[edit]
On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report.[58][59][60] Smollett’s felony count charge in Illinois carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.[58] Smollett hired attorney Mark Geragos in addition to Chicago-based attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson to work on his legal defense.[61]
The next day, Smollett surrendered himself at the Chicago Police Department’s Central Booking station; shortly thereafter, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated that Smollett “is under arrest and in the custody of detectives”.[62][63] Guglielmi also said that Smollett was named as suspect in a criminal investigation for filing a fake police report, under a class 4 felony.[64]
Later that day, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson held a press conference, gave details of the investigation, and explained how the department concluded that the alleged assault was staged.[65][66] The brothers, Abimbola “Bola” (also known as Abel) and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, who say they helped stage the attack, also said that Smollett came up with the idea to orchestrate the attack after the threatening letter he received did not generate as much attention as he had hoped it would.[67] In addition to the rope around his neck, the original plan was to pour gasoline over him, but they decided to use bleach instead.[68] Police alleged that the actor intended to further his career by tying the incident to racism in the United States and President Trump, and that Smollett sent himself the threatening letter.[65]
Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. set Smollett’s bail at $100,000; a friend of the actor paid a $10,000 bond, and Smollett was released from custody on February 21.[69][70][71] Smollett was required to surrender his passport.[72]
On March 8, Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts of “false report of offense” related to the incident.[73][74][75][76]
In March 2019, the New York Post reported that Tina Tchen, a Chicago attorney who served as former first lady Michelle Obama’s chief of staff, had contacted Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx about the Smollett case on February 1. Emails and text messages indicated that on February 1, Foxx informed both Tchen and an unnamed Smollett relative that she had asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to request that the FBI take over the Smollett investigation. Foxx added that Johnson had agreed to make that request.[77][78]
On March 14, 2019, Smollett pled not guilty.[79][80][81]
Initial charges dropped[edit]
On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped, with Judge Steven Watkins ordering the public court file sealed.[10][82] First Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Magats said the office reached a deal with Smollett’s defense team in which prosecutors would drop the charges in exchange for Smollett performing 16 hours of community service[83][84][85] and forfeiting his $10,000 bond.[86][87][88]
Police report files on Smollett’s case
The Illinois Prosecutors Bar Association (IPBA) said that the dismissal was “highly unusual”, and that the “manner in which this case was dismissed was abnormal and unfamiliar to those who practice law in criminal courthouses across the state. Prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges alike do not recognize the arrangement Mr. Smollett received. Even more problematic, the State’s Attorney and her representatives have fundamentally misled the public on the law and circumstances surrounding the dismissal.”[89] It described several of the statements made by the State’s Attorney and her representatives regarding the handling of the case as false or misleading.[90] The National District Attorneys Association released a statement saying that a prosecutor should not take advice from politically connected friends of the accused, should not recuse herself without recusing the entire office, and noted that “a case with the consequential effects of Mr. Smollett’s should not be resolved without a finding of guilt or innocence.”[91]
Magats made a statement saying that the decision was not an exoneration of Smollett: “We stand behind the investigation, we stand behind the decision to charge him […] The fact that [Smollett] feels that we have exonerated him, we have not. I can’t make it any clearer than that.” Then-Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel strongly criticized the decision, saying it was a “whitewash of justice” and that “From top to bottom, this is not on the level.” Police superintendent Johnson said that justice was not served.[10][92]
On March 27, 2019, the Chicago Police Department released the redacted police reports associated with the case.[93] It was announced that the FBI is investigating why the charges were dismissed.[94] The hearing to expunge Smollett’s record was delayed on March 27.[95] In April 2019, mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot said in a statement: “We’ve got a lot of things on our plate, a lot of pressing issues that are truly affecting people’s lives. This doesn’t rank as a matter of any importance to me.”[96]
Special prosecutor[edit]
On August 23, 2019, former United States Attorney Dan K. Webb was assigned as special prosecutor to review Jussie Smollett’s case and the events leading to the charges being dropped.[97] Webb was tasked with reviewing the original case and charges surrounding Smollett’s claim of being attacked. He was also allowed to look into why Foxx had dropped all of the charges against Smollett. Shortly after being assigned as special prosecutor, possible conflicts of interest were raised after a $1,000 donation to Kim Foxx’s campaign had surfaced. His work was put on hiatus as a hearing was called for to decide whether Webb should continue.[98] In court, Judge Michael Toomin defended his appointment of Webb. The judge ruled Webb could continue to investigate as special prosecutor since his donation was “a routine practice of lawyers” and that it should have “no effect on his ability to be fair and impartial”.[99]
On December 6, 2019, a Cook County Circuit Court judge signed search warrants ordering Google to turn over Jussie Smollett’s emails, photos, location data and private messages from November 2018 to November 2019, as part of the special prosecutor’s investigation.[100]
Webb announced new charges on February 11, 2020. Smollett was indicted on six counts of felony disorderly conduct for lying to the police.[101] According to the special prosecutor, Smollett “faces six felony counts of disorderly conduct stemming from four separate false reports that he gave to police.”[102][101]
Second trial[edit]
In March 2021, Smollett attempted to hire lawyer Nenye Uche to represent him, but prosecutors challenged the appointment with allegations of conflicts of interest.[103] The allegations stem from claims made by the Osundairo brothers to prosecutors that Uche had spoken to them about the facts of the case in 2019, with the Osundairos later writing sworn affidavits to back up their claims.[103] Uche has denied the allegations, saying he only met the Osundairos’ mother and a family friend, and only to tell them he could not represent them because they already had representation.[103]
As of October 16, 2021, a judge had denied the defense’s request to dismiss the case. Jury selection for Smollett’s trial took place on November 29, 2021.[104][105][106][107] During the trial, Smollett’s defense attorney accused the judge of attempting to attack her, by physically lunging at her during a side bar, another Smollett attorney has previously made accusations of the judge making faces and snarling throughout the trial. The judge denied the claim as well as her motion for a mistrial.[108][109] During the 2021 trial, the prosecution revealed video footage of Smollett and the two “attackers” in a car a few days before the attack. When questioned, Smollett testified he had arranged to work out with Abel, but cancelled the workout when Ola had shown up uninvited.[110] Prosecutor Webb argued, in opening statements, that this was evidence of the group holding a “dress rehearsal” to devise the fake crime.[111]
During his testimony, Smollett claimed, for the first time, that he had engaged in a “sexual relationship” with Abimbola Osundairo, one of the two brothers he hired to stage the attack.[112][113] However, during his testimony Abimbola insisted he is not gay.[114] Ola Osundairo, who Jussie Smollett claimed is homophobic, took the stand to present evidence that he gets paid to be involved in homosexual activities, such as being employed at a bar as a bouncer and modeling at pride parades.[115]
On December 9, 2021, the jury found Smollett guilty on five of the six counts of felony disorderly conduct.[116]
In late February 2022, one of Smollett’s attorneys moved for the verdict to be vacated, claiming Smollett’s rights were violated when his attorneys were prevented from actively participating in jury selection, and that the court had made various errors before and during the trial.[117]
On March 10, 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in county jail,[14] and was also ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution for the overtime spent by Chicago police officers.[15] During the sentencing hearing, which lasted more than five hours, Judge James B. Linn excoriated Smollett from the bench, repeatedly calling him “narcissistic, selfish, and arrogant”. Linn also indicated that Smollett perjured himself during his trial testimony.[118] After being sentenced, Smollett engaged in several outbursts in the courtroom, during which he proclaimed his innocence. He also repeatedly shouted that he is “not suicidal”.
On March 16, 2022, a three person Illinois appeals court consisting of Judges Thomas Hoffman, Joy Cunningham and Maureen Connors ordered, in a 2-1 decision, that Smollett be released from jail, upon his posting of a $150,000 personal recognizance bond, pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction. Hoffman and Cunningham signed the order, while Connors opposed it.[119] The court’s ruling explained that if Smollett was not released pending appeal, it would be “unable to dispose of the instant appeal before the defendant would have served his entire sentence of incarceration”.[120] Under Illinois state law, Smollett was not required to post cash bond but must attend future hearings concerning his case. Smollett’s attorneys also argued before the court that Smollett’s health and safety would be in danger while he was incarcerated, an assertion that prosecutors disputed.[121]
As of March 2022[update], the Osundairo brothers have not been charged for their alleged role in the hoax.[122] In December 2021, during the second trial, Abimbola took to Instagram in a post apparently mocking Smollett’s claims, by posting a picture of himself with a towel wrapped around his own neck and invited his audience to caption the image, geo-tagging the image to Boystown, one of the largest LGBT communities in the midwestern United States.[114]
Reaction[edit]
Smollett’s character was subsequently removed from the final two episodes of Empire’s fifth season.[123] The studio stated on April 30, 2019, that “at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to Empire.”[124] Fox announced that Empire would be canceled at the end of Season 6.[124]
Prior to his arrest, many prominent Democratic politicians, including Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand, quickly came out in support of Smollett and condemned the alleged hate crime.[125] Following his arrest, many right-wing commentators and then-President Donald Trump denounced Smollett’s actions and wondered if the Democratic politicians who supported Smollett would retract their comments.[126] Ultimately, Democratic presidential candidates who supported Smollett backed-off their prior comments and claimed that the hoax does a disservice to victims of real hate crimes.[127]
Commentators have compared the alleged incident to other racial hoaxes.[135]
Following Smollett’s sentencing, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, “The malicious and wholly fabricated claim made by Mr. Smollett resulted in over 1,500 hours of police work that cost the city over $130,000 in police overtime,” and “The city feels vindicated in today’s ruling that he is being held accountable and that we will appropriately receive restitution for his actions.”[136]
Lawsuits[edit]
On March 28, 2019, Chicago city attorneys under the guidance of then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, sent Smollett a demand for $130,000 expended on the investigation, threatening Smollett with criminal prosecution; the demand also cited statute law under which Smollett could potentially be liable for up to three times the city’s actual damages plus its legal expenses.[137]
On April 12, 2019, the city sued Smollett in the Circuit Court of Cook County for $130,000[138][139] plus $1,000 for each false statement he made to the city, plus three times the city’s damages.[further explanation needed][138] On October 22, federal judge Virginia Kendall denied a motion for dismissal on the theory that Smollett could not have predicted the level of expenses that his false report would induce the police to incur.[140][141] In November 2019, Smollett countersued, alleging he was the victim of “mass public ridicule and harm”.[142]
On April 23, 2019, the Osundairo brothers filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Smollett’s legal team.[143][144]
References[edit]
^ “Jussie Smollett indictment” (PDF). February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2022 – via NBC Chicago. Special Grand Jury No. 2019 MR 00014 of Circuit Court of Cook County
^ O’Brien, Brendan (December 10, 2021). “Actor Jussie Smollett found guilty of staging hate crime”. Reuters. Retrieved December 10, 2021. Jussie Smollett, one-time star of the TV drama Empire, was found guilty on Thursday of staging a hate crime against himself in what prosecutors said was a bid to gain sympathy and boost his career. Prosecutors said Smollett, who is Black and gay, lied to police when he told them that he was accosted on a dark Chicago street by two masked strangers in January 2019… The Cook County Circuit Court jury, which deliberated for nine hours, found Smollett, 39, guilty of five of the six felony disorderly conduct counts he faced, one for each time he was accused of lying to police.
^ a b c Madhani, Aamer (April 11, 2019). “Jussie Smollett purposely misled police by saying assailants were white, lawsuit alleges”. USA TODAY. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021.
^ a b c d Gonzalez, Sandra (January 29, 2019). “Empire star Jussie Smollett attacked in possible hate crime”. CNN. Atlanta, GA. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
^ Rothman, Michael (January 30, 2019). “‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett brutally attacked, hospitalized in possible hate crime”. ABC News. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
^ a b Hendrickson, Matthew (December 5, 2021). “Will Jussie Smollett take the stand? Critical question remains as actor’s trial resumes Monday”. Retrieved December 18, 2021. Smollett’s motive, they said, was dissatisfaction with the way the television studio behind his then-hit show “Empire” had handled his security after he received a piece of hate mail — which prosecutors have also said the actor fabricated. Smollett, they said, staged the attack near a police surveillance camera in order to get video of the assault that he could post to social media.
^ Babwin, Don; Burnett, Sara; AP (December 9, 2021). “Jussie Smollett Convicted of Lying to Police Over ‘Staged’ Attack”. Time. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett Testifies at His Trial: ‘There Was No Hoax'”. WTTW News. Associated Press. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ Nemetz, Dave (February 20, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Indicted, Charged With Felony for Filing False Police Report”. TVLine. United States. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ a b c Crepeau, Megan; Buckley, Madeline (March 26, 2019). “Cook County prosecutors drop all charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett”. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ Meilhan, Pierre (February 11, 2020). “Jussie Smollett indicted by grand jury on six counts for making false reports, special prosecutor says”. CNN. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
^ Jacobs, Julia (February 11, 2020). “Jussie Smollett Indicted Again in Attack That Police Called a Hoax”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
^ Jacobs, Julia; Guarino, Mark (December 9, 2021). “Key Moments as Jussie Smollett Is Found Guilty in Fake Hate Crime Case”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ a b “Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail in fake attack”. AP NEWS. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ a b “Jussie Smollett sentencing: Ex-‘Empire’ actor gets 150 days in jail for hate crime hoax”. Associated Press. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ a b c “Jussie Smollett case: FBI investigates whether actor had any role in threatening letter”. USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Deb, Sopan (February 17, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Timeline: Mystery Deepens as Police Review Case”. The New York Times. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ a b “Empire actor Jussie Smollett allegedly assaulted in possible hate crime, police say”. CBS News. New York City. Associated Press. January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
^ Young, Ryan; Parks, Brad; Andone, Dakin (February 16, 2019). “Police sources: New evidence suggests Jussie Smollett orchestrated attack”. CNN. Atlanta. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ “Chicago Police Department Original Case Incident Report” (PDF). WLS-TV. Chicago. January 29, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
^ Jacobs, Julia; Guarino, Mark (December 6, 2021). “Jussie Smollett Tells Jury He Did Not Direct a Fake Attack on Himself”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
^ Allen, Karma (February 4, 2019). “Newly revealed report offers chilling details of alleged Jussie Smollett attack”. New York City: ABC News. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
^ Michallon, Clémence (January 29, 2019). “Jussie Smollett attack: Empire star in hospital after suspected racist and homophobic assault”. The Independent. London. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
^ Jussie Smollett “Has Screwed Over Everyone,” Says Trevor Noah
^ Rumore, Kori; Brinson, Jemal R. (February 25, 2019). “The Jussie Smollett incident: Minute-by-minute of that cold January night”. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ “Trial set to start on charges actor Jussie Smollett faked racist attack”. NBC News.
^ “Police: Jussie Smollett ‘Upset’ Camera Didn’t Record Attack”.
^ Otterson, Joe (January 29, 2019). “Empire Star Jussie Smollett Assaulted in Chicago in Suspected Hate Crime”. Variety. Los Angeles. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
^ Penrose, Nerisha (January 29, 2019). “Empire Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized Following Racist, Homophobic Attack”. Elle. United States. Retrieved February 3, 2019. he was treated and discharged early Tuesday morning
^ Clark, Anne Victoria (June 5, 2019). “Chicago Police Have Released Jussie Smollett’s Manager’s 911 Call”. Vulture.
^ Sobol, Rosemary; Swartz, Tracy; Lee, William (February 1, 2019). “Detectives piecing together ‘digital puzzle’ as they investigate report of attack on Empire actor Jussie Smollett”. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019. (URL not available in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.)
^ Crepeau, Megan; Meisner, Jason (December 6, 2021). “‘Like something out of Looney Tune adventures’: Jussie Smollett testifies he was jumped on Chicago street by two men who hurled racial and homophobic epithets”. Chicago Tribune.
^ Andrews, Travis M.; Butler, Bethonie; Chiu, Allyson (January 30, 2019). “Surveillance video shows two ‘people of interest’ in alleged assault against Empire actor Jussie Smollett, police say”. The Washington Post. Retrieved February 3, 2019. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the initial police report did not reference those comments, but the actor recalled the information in a follow-up interview with detectives. Guglielmi said Smollett still had a thin, white rope around his neck when officers first made contact with him around 2:40 am, roughly 40 minutes after the alleged assault.
^ Jimenez, Omar; Kirkos, Bill; Levenson, Eric; Almasy, Steve. “Defense rests in Jussie Smollett trial after prosecution contrasts his version of events with other testimony”. CNN.
^ Real, Evan; Lewis, Hilary (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Hits Back at Doubters as He Details Brutal Attack”. The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
^ a b c Kumar, Naveen (January 30, 2019). “The Attack on Jussie Smollett Shows the Paradox of Queer Visibility”. them. New York City. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
^ Anapol, Avery (January 29, 2019). “Kamala Harris: Violent attack on Empire star is ‘attempted modern day lynching'”. The Hill. Washington, D. C. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ Vutlaggio, Maria (January 29, 2019). “Cory Booker says Jussie Smollett attack is ‘attempted modern-day lynching'”. Newsweek. New York City. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ Ryan, April (January 31, 2019). “President Trump Comments on Jussie Smollett Hate Crime”. American Urban Radio Networks. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
^ a b Latza Nadeau, Barbie (February 14, 2019). “‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett: You’d Believe Me if I Was Attacked by Black or Muslim Guys”. The Daily Beast. United States. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
^ Badwin, Don (November 29, 2021). “At Jussie Smollett trial begins, focus on Osundairo brothers at center stage”. PBS. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
^ Preston, Hannah (February 14, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Case: Police Raid Home of Two ‘Persons of Interest'”. Newsweek. New York City. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
^ a b c Swart, Tracy; Gorner, Jeremy; Sweeney, Annie (February 16, 2019). “Chicago police want to question Empire actor Jussie Smollett after questioning and releasing 2 brothers”. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. (URL not available in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.)
^ a b Ailworth, Erin (February 15, 2019). “Chicago Police Release Possible Suspects in Jussie Smollett Attack”. Wall Street Journal. New York City.
^ Keveney, Bill; Madhani, Aamer (February 15, 2019). “Jussie Smollett case: Two men released after police interrogation reveals ‘new evidence'”. USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ “Sources: Police investigating whether Jussie Smollett staged attack with help of others, allegedly being written off Empire”. ABC News. New York City. February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ “Brothers Questioned By Police Were Paid $3,500 To Stage Jussie Smollett Attack, Sources Say”. WBBM-TV. Chicago. February 16, 2019.
^ De Mar, Charlie (February 16, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Case: Brothers Questioned By Police Were Paid $3,500 To Stage Attack, Which Was Rehearsed Days Before, Sources Say”. WBBM-TV. Chicago. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
^ Young, Ryan; Parks, Brad. “Police sources: New evidence suggests Jussie Smollett orchestrated attack”. CNN. Atlanta. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
^ Blankstein, Andrew; Helsel, Phil (February 17, 2019). “Probe into alleged Jussie Smollett attack shifts to whether actor staged incident, source says”. NBC News. New York City. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
^ Did Jussie Smollett Stage Attack to Get a Raise on ‘Empire’?. Inside Edition. February 21, 2019 – via YouTube.
^ Charles, Sam (February 20, 2019). “Kim Foxx sidesteps Smollett case over ‘familiarity with potential witnesses'”. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ “Jussie Smollett attack: Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx recuses herself from investigation”. WLS-TV. Chicago. February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ Blitzer, Ronn (March 27, 2019). “Prosecutor Who Dropped Smollett Case Had Said She Was Recusing Herself Over Potential Conflict. Then She Didn’t”. Law & Crime.
^ Meisner, Megan Crepeau, Jason. “Kim Foxx defends Jussie Smollett decision as office says she ‘did not formally recuse herself'”. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
^ Ailworth, Erin (February 22, 2019). “Police Say Smollett Faked Hate Crime Because He Was Dissatisfied With His Salary”. Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ Dedaj, Paulina; Finn, Matt (February 13, 2019). “Jussie Smollett defended by crisis manager as Chicago police say phone records ‘insufficient'”. Fox News. New York City. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
^ a b Deb, Sopan (February 20, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Faces Felony Charge, Accused of Faking Own Assault”. The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ Sanchez, Ray; Young, Ryan; Kirkos, Bill; Parks, Brad (February 20, 2019). “Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report”. CNN. Atlanta. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ Estrella, Cicero (February 20, 2019). “Jussie Smollett goes from victim to suspect over alleged hate-crime attack”. The Mercury News. San Jose, California. Retrieved February 20, 2019. [Smollett] is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury.
^ Edwards, Brad (February 20, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Hires High Profile Defense Attorney, Mark Geragos”. WBBM-TV. Chicago. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
^ Charles, Sam; Grimm, Andy (February 21, 2019). “Smollett dragged ‘Chicago’s reputation through the mud’: CPD Supt.Johnson”. Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Cowen, Trace William (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Arrested by Chicago Police for ‘Publicity Stunt’ to Further His Career”. Complex. New York City. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Zwirz, Elizabeth; Derespina, Cody (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett is under arrest, in custody of Chicago police!”. Fox News. New York City. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ a b Winsor, Morgan; Osborne, Mark (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett staged attack as ‘publicity stunt…to promote his career’: Police”. ABC News. New York City. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Deb, Sopan; Healy, Jack (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett, Upset Over Salary, Staged Assault, Police Say”. The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Walsh, Stephanie; Margolin, Josh; Hutchinson, Bill (February 18, 2019). “Brothers implicated in attack on Jussie Smollett tell police the ‘Empire’ actor was upset that earlier threatening letter didn’t get enough attention: Source”. ABC News. New York City. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Babwin, Don; Burnett, Sara (December 2, 2021). “Actor testifies Jussie Smollett asked him to carry out fake hate crime”. Global News.
^ “Watch Jussie Smollett leave the courthouse: Actor Jussie Smollett is escorted through a thick crowd as he leaves the courthouse following his bond hearing”. CNN. Atlanta. February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Crepeau, Megan; Gorner, Jeremy; Meisner, Jason (February 22, 2019). “How a text from Jussie Smollett set in motion an alleged hoax that dragged ‘Chicago’s reputation through the mud'”. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^ McLaughlin, Eliott C.; Watts, Amanda; Parks, Brad (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett paid $3,500 to stage his attack, hoping to promote his career, police allege”. CNN. Atlanta. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^ Jensen, Erin; Madhani, Aamer; Deerwester, Jayme (February 21, 2019). “Jussie Smollett directed brothers to pour gas on him and yell slurs, prosecutor says”. USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^ Jussie Smollett grand jury indictment CBS News, March 8, 2019
^ “Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury”. ABC News. March 8, 2019.
^ Crepeau, Megan (March 9, 2019). “Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 counts over allegedly phony claims of racist, homophobic attack”. Chicago Tribune.
^ Schneider, Gabe (March 9, 2019). “Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 counts of falsifying a police report”. Vox Media.
^ New York Post, Former Michelle Obama aide tried to intervene in Jussie Smollett probe, March 14, 2019
^ NBC Chicago, Jussie Smollett Update: Texts, Emails Reveal Foxx Asked Johnson to Turn Investigation Over to FBI, March 13, 2019
^ Crepeau, Megan (March 14, 2019). “Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to faking racist, homophobic attack on himself”. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
^ Dwyer, Colin (March 14, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty To Charges He Faked Attack Against Himself”. NPR. Washington, D. C. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
^ Puente, Maria; Madhani, Aamer (March 14, 2019). “Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to lying to police about alleged attack”. USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
^ De Mar, Charlie (March 26, 2019). “Jussie Smollett Charges Dropped; ‘His Record Has Been Wiped Clean'”. WBBM-TV. Chicago. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ Deanna Paul (March 27, 2019). “Why prosecutors dismissed the charges against Jussie Smollett”. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2019. The prosecution required the actor to complete 16 hours of community service through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based social justice organization
^ “Jussie Smollett’s Community Service Was with Jesse Jackson’s Org”. Tmz.com. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ “Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett After Actor Forfeits $10,000 Bail, Completes 16 Hours Of Community Service”. Chicago.cbslocal.com. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ Bosman, Julie; Deb, Sopan (March 26, 2019). “Jussie Smollett’s Charges Are Dropped, Angering Mayor and Police”. The New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ McCarthy, Tyler (March 26, 2019). “Jussie Smollett won’t be prosecuted on charges he faked attack”. Fox News. New York City. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ Madhani, Aamer (March 26, 2019). “Charges dropped against ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett”. USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ Lee Roupas, President, Illinois Prosecutors Bar Association (March 28, 2019). “IPBA Statement on Jussie Smollett Case Dismissal”. ilpba.org. Retrieved July 19, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ “Ill. Prosecutors Group Calls Smollett Case ‘Highly Unusual'”. NBC Chicago.
^ Crepeau, Megan. “Two prosecutors’ groups rip handling of Jussie Smollett’s case by state’s attorney’s office”. Chicago Tribune.
^ Li, David K. (March 26, 2019). “Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, police chief slam prosecutors for dropping Jussie Smollett charges”. NBC News. New York City. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ “Jussie Smollett Case: Police Reports Reveal New Information”. WBBM-TV. Chicago. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
^ “The FBI Is Looking Into Why Charges Against Jussie Smollett Were Dropped”. BuzzFeed News.
^ “Jussie Smollett update: FBI reviewing circumstances of Jussie Smollett’s charges being dropped, sources confirm”. WLS-TV. Chicago. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ Chicago Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot Confirms Jussie Smollett’s Case ‘Doesn’t Rank as a Matter of Any Importance’ The Root, Tonja Renée Stidhum,
4/15/19
^ Jacobs, Julia; Chiarito, Robert (August 23, 2019). “Dan K. Webb Is Named Special Prosecutor in Jussie Smollett Case”. The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
^ Tarm, Michael (October 4, 2019). “Judge finds no bias from Jussie Smollett special prosecutor”. AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
^ Meisner, Jason (October 4, 2019). “Dan Webb to stay on as special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett probe despite campaign donation to Kim Foxx”. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
^ Jussie Smollett investigation: Judge orders Google to turn over a full year of the actor’s data as part of special prosecutor probe Archived October 5, 2021, at the Wayback Machine MEGAN CREPEAU and JEREMY GORNER, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, January 8, 2020
^ a b “Actor Jussie Smollett faces six new charges”. BBC News. February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
^ Webber, Tammy (February 12, 2020). “Jussie Smollett’s image takes new hit with revived charges”. AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
^ a b c Crepeau, Megan (March 9, 2021). “New wrinkle in Jussie Smollett case, as prosecutors allege attorney has conflict of interest”. Chicago Tribune.
^ Baldwin, Don (November 29, 2021). “Jussie Smollett Trial Updates: Latest From Court as Jury Selection Begins”. NBC Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
^ Maxouris, Christina (November 29, 2021). “Jussie Smollett’s trial has started. This is how we got here”. CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett’s case will move forward after dismissal request is denied”. NBC News. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett to Go to Trial after Judge Declines Dismissal Request”. Yahoo! News. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett Trial: Defense Attorney Calls For Mistrial And Accuses Judge Of Lunging At Her; Judge Denies Claims And Motion”. CBS. December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett’s lawyers claim judge ‘lunged’ at one of them, ask for a mistrial”. New York Post. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^ “Lawyer: Case against Smollett based on testimony of ‘liars'”. PBS NewsHour. December 8, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ “Lawyer: Jussie Smollett ‘a real victim’ of attack in Chicago”. AP NEWS. November 29, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ “Jussie Smollett says he had a sexual relationship with his alleged attacker”. Mic. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett Takes the Stand, Talks Sexual Relationship with Osundairo Brother”. TMZ. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ a b Smith, Ryan (December 7, 2021). “Jussie Smollett’s court claims apparently mocked by accuser Abimbola Osundairo”. Newsweek. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ “Second brother testifies Jussie Smollett paid for staged attack”. PBS NewsHour. December 2, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ Jacobs, Julia; Guarino, Mark (December 9, 2021). “Jussie Smollett Trial Live Updates: Actor Found Guilty in Fake Hate Crime Case”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^ “Jussie Smollett seeks new trial or not guilty verdict following conviction for falsely reporting hate crime”. NBC News.
^ Jussie Smollett Sentenced to Jail for False Report of a Hate CrimeFormer ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail in hoax attack
^ Court: Jussie Smollett can leave county jail during appeal
^ Omar Jimenez and Christina Maxouris (March 16, 2022). “Jussie Smollett has been released from jail pending an appeal of his conviction”. CNN.
^ Babwin, Don; Burnett, Sara (March 16, 2022). “Jussie Smollett Released From County Jail During Appeal”. US News. Chicago. Associated Press. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
^ “Nigerian Brothers Released from Custody with No Charges in Jussie Smollett Case, No Longer Suspects”. www.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ Savitsky, Sasha (February 22, 2019). “Jussie Smollett’s ‘Empire’ role cut from season’s final episodes, creators say”. Fox News. New York City. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^ a b Patten, Dominic (May 13, 2019). “‘Empire’ To End After Upcoming Season 6; Still “No Plans” For Jussie Smollett Return”. Deadline.
^ Cillizza, Chris (February 19, 2019). “Why our politics can’t handle Jussie Smollett | CNN Politics”. CNN. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
^ Moreau, Jordan (February 21, 2019). “Celebrities, Politicians React to Jussie Smollett Arrest: ‘This Story Is Pathetic'”. Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
^ Lah, Kate Sullivan, Kyung (February 22, 2019). “Democratic presidential candidates back off statements of support for Jussie Smollett | CNN Politics”. CNN. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
^ Russell-Brown, Katheryn (February 25, 2019). “As Racial Hoaxes Go, Jussie Smollett’s Case Is a Strange One”. The Atlantic.
^ Williams, Walter E. (February 26, 2019). “Opinion: Hate crime hoaxes fueled by dishonesty of liberals, media”. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
^ Littleton, Cynthia (February 27, 2019). “Why the Jussie Smollett Scandal Is ‘Tragedy No Matter What'”.
^ “Hate crime hoaxes, like Jussie Smollett’s alleged attack, are more common than you think”. USA Today.
^ Urquhart, Evan (February 21, 2019). “Why Jussie Smollett’s Alleged Hoax Won’t Change How Anyone Feels About Hate Crimes”. Slate Magazine.
^ Goodwin, Michael (February 24, 2019). “Michael Goodwin: What Trump hate crime ‘victims’ hope to get out of their lies”. New York Post.
^ “‘The worst possible thing at the worst possible time’: The Smollett case’s far-reaching consequences”. NBC News.
^ [128][129][130][131][132][133][134]
^ Salamone, Gina (March 10, 2022). “Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot applauds Jussie Smollett jail sentence: ‘The city feels vindicated in today’s ruling'”. Daily News. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
^ “City leaders: Smollett owes Chicago $130K for investigation”. AP NEWS. March 29, 2019.
^ a b “Jussie Smollett update: City sues ‘Empire’ actor for cost of investigating alleged staged attack”. ABC Eyewitness 7 News. April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
^ Maddaus, Gene (April 4, 2019). “Chicago to Sue Jussie Smollett After He Refuses to Pay Investigation Costs”. Variety. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
^ Maddaus, Gene (October 22, 2019). “Judge Refuses to Dismiss Chicago’s Lawsuit Against Jussie Smollett”.
^ Chavez, Nicole; Parks, Brad; Kirkos, Bill (October 22, 2019). “A federal judge refuses to dismiss Chicago’s lawsuit against Jussie Smollett”. CNN.
^ “Jussie Smollett files countersuit against Chicago claiming malicious prosecution”. CBS News. November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
^ Puente, Maria (April 23, 2019). “Jussie Smollett case: Brothers accused of carrying out attack sue actor’s legal team for defamation”. USA Today.
^ Tarm, Michael; Rouseeau, Caryn. “Brothers sue Jussie Smollett’s lawyers, claiming defamation”. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
External links[edit]
