A judge in Cook County, Illinois ordered “Empire” star Jussie Smollett’s criminal files be unsealed; clearing the path towards the release of all materials related to the case before charges were abruptly dropped months ago.
“Cook County judge Steven G. Watkins’ decision came months after a dizzying set of events: First, Smollett alleged he’d been the victim of a hate crime; after an extensive investigation, Chicago cops arrested Smollett and accused him of faking the supposed attack; and then, Cook County prosecutors suddenly dropped the charges against Smollett and his case was sealed,” reports Fox News.
“In January, Smollett made national headlines when he filed a police report alleging two masked men attacked him, put a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him as he was walking home from a fast food eatery. Smollett, who is black and openly gay, said the masked men beat him, made racist and homophobic comments and yelled, ‘This is MAGA country’ — a reference to President Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan — before fleeing the scene,” adds the article.
Chicago officials and the city’s Police Department fumed after a lone prosecutor decided to drop the case.
The City of Chicago officially filed a lawsuit against ‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett weeks ago; seeking to recoup the costs associated with his alleged hate crime hoax that occupied more than 24 police officers over a two-week period.
“The 12-page civil lawsuit , filed in Cook County court, is the latest volley in a legal battle that shows no signs of abating since Smollett reported that masked men beat him up on Jan. 29 in Chicago, shouting slurs and wrapping a rope around his neck,” reports the Associated Press.
“The lawsuit doesn’t specify an amount of money the city is seeking but does indicate it wants over $390,000 plus ‘further relief as this Court deems just and equitable.’ It also asks that Smollett be ordered to foot any legal bills Chicago incurs in suing him,” adds the author.
Read the full report at Fox News.
BREAKING: Prosecutors Drop ALL CHARGES Against ‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett
Prosecutors in Chicago dropped all charges against ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett Tuesday morning; ending all proceedings over allegations he intentionally staged a “hate crime” just months ago.
“Calling himself a man of faith ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett said Tuesday that he felt vindicated after the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said it would drop all charges against him,” reports Fox News.
“Not for a moment was it in vain. I’ve been truthful and consistent on every level since day one,” he said. “I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of. “
“It’s unclear at this time why the court decided not to proceed with prosecution, but the former ‘Empire’ star is expected to give a statement after he leaves the courthouse later today,” adds Fox.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CHICAGO MAYOR: Decision to Drop Jussie Smollett Charges a ‘Whitewash of Justice’
Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel weighed-in Tuesday on his city’s decision to abandon 16 felony charges against ‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett; calling the move an obvious “whitewash of justice.”
“This is a whitewash of justice. A grand jury could not have been clearer… Where is the accountability in the system? You can’t have -because of one person’s position- one set of rules apply to them and another set of rules apply to everybody else,” said the mayor.
"This is a whitewash of justice," @ChicagosMayor says of Jussie Smollett's charges being dropped. "A grand jury could not have been clearer. Where is the accountability in the system?" pic.twitter.com/jBsrh5skTr
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 26, 2019
City prosecutors abruptly dropped all charges against Smollett weeks after he was indicted for allegedly staging a “hate crime” and filing a false police report regarding the incident.
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