Chicago and Jussie Smollett resolve legal dispute 6 years post-alleged fabricated assault incident
In an unexpected turn of events, Chicago and former "Empire" actor, Jussie Smollett, have agreed to a confidential settlement, six years after the city levied a lawsuit against the TV star.
The lawsuit emerged in April 2019, a shocking three months following Smollett's alleged victimhood report of a racist and homophobic assault in Chicago's Streeterville district. However, authorities and city officials soon alleged that Smollett masterminded the hoax hate crime against himself. The city's lawsuit alleged that Smollett intentionally filed a false police report on Jan. 29, 2019, knowing his assailants and planning the attack. The city sought to recuperate $130,000 spent on the extensive police investigation.
Smollett retaliated with a countersuit, denying orchestration of the attack and filing a false police report. But as the court waits for the finalized documentation detailing the settlement's terms, discreet negotiations prevail.
Flashback to January 2019 – Smollett reported a hate crime to police, detailing he was assaulted because of his race and sexuality. Two men – brothers Ola and Abimbola Osundairo – were apprehended. Authorities subsequently disclosed that Smollett had enlisted the brothers to fabricate the attack.
Smollett's arrest in February 2019 was swiftly followed by a grand jury indictment on suspicion of filing a false police report in March. Cook County State Attorney Kimberly Foxx dropped the charges later. A special prosecutor reignited the case, resulting in a trial and Smollett's 2020 charges of six disorderly conduct counts.
A verdict was reached in December 2021, with Smollett being convicted on five of the six counts. He was penalized with 150 days in jail and granted 30 months' probation in 2022. During the trial, the Osundairo brothers testified that Smollett had commissioned them to stage an attack for publicity and had compensated them with a $3,500 check. Smollett disputed their claims, asserting the check was intended for personal training services.
The Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett's conviction last November due to prosecutorial irregularities. The court held that Smollett should not have been charged after he entered a non-prosecution agreement with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
A status hearing, initially scheduled for this week, has been rescheduled to May 29, although it remains to be seen if the agreement's specifics will be disclosed at that time. The Chicago Department of Law and Smollett's attorney have refrained from commenting on the matter.
- Amid the recent settlement agreement, authorities are eager to recoup the $130,000 in funding that was spent on the extensive investigation regarding the Smollett hoax.
- Despite initial charges and convictions, Jussie Smollett's celebrity status and the ensuing legal battle continue to dominate the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors.
- In a shocking turn of events, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett's conviction due to prosecutorial irregularities, leaving the final outcome of the case uncertain and generating more discussion in entertainment news.
- The hoax hate crime orchestrated by Smollett in Chicago's Streeterville district not only brought unwanted publicity but also led toauses of extensive expenses for the city.
- The ongoing discreet negotiations and the finalization of the settlement terms between the City of Chicago and Jussie Smollett have kept the media and public waiting with bated breath for more updates on this entangled episode in celebrity crime and justice.
