After a protracted legal battle spanning over six years, former Empire star Jussie Smollett has reached a settlement with the city of Chicago. The city sued Smollett in 2019 after he falsely claimed he was the victim of a hate crime, creating nationwide controversy. The settlement comes after years of legal wrangling, public scrutiny, and multiple criminal charges tied to the infamous hoax.
In January 2019, Smollett reported to police that while looking for food in the wee hours of the morning during a polar vortex, he had been attacked by two white men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs, tied a noose around his neck, and poured bleach on him. He also notably claimed they shouted, “This is MAGA country, n—–!” as they carried out the assault. Smollett, a black, openly gay actor, also claimed that his assailants were wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats. The story quickly gained media attention, turning Smollett into a high-profile victim of a hate crime.
Celebrities and public figures (including 2028 Democratic frontrunners Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) ran to his defense, publicly declaring their support for him.
However, Smollett’s account quickly disintegrated under police scrutiny. He initially refused to hand over his phone to police investigating the attack. They uncovered evidence suggesting that Smollett had staged the attack with the help of two Nigerian brothers, who were later identified as Abel and Ola Osundairo. The brothers, both of whom Smollett knew from his time as an actor, reportedly helped Smollett orchestrate the incident in an attempt to gain publicity and further his career.
Chicago city officials were incensed, claiming that the hoax had not only wasted police resources but had also undermined the credibility of real hate crime victims. In response, the city filed a lawsuit to recover the funds spent investigating the false claims.
Smollett vehemently denied that he had orchestrated the hoax and counter-sued the city, claiming the accusations were false. He argued that he was the victim of a conspiracy and that the city was wrongfully targeting him.
Though the original set of charges were dropped, Smollett was eventually found guilty. The Illinois Supreme Court intervened in 2022, overturning the conviction and dropping all charges against Smollett. The court ruled that Smollett could not be retried, citing “procedural issues” with his prosecution. The decision was a blow to the city of Chicago, which had hoped to see Smollett held fully accountable for his actions.
Now, six years after the original incident, Smollett and the city of Chicago have reportedly reached a settlement, though the specifics of the agreement remain under wraps. NBC News has reported that the city is still finalizing documentation related to the settlement. As of now, it is unclear whether Smollett will be required to pay any restitution, or if the terms of the settlement include any other stipulations.
The case, which captured national attention, reignited debate over issues such as the weaponization of social justice causes and the responsibility of public figures. While Smollett has steadfastly maintained his innocence, the public’s perception remains unmoved.
Jussie Smollett’s legal and public battles over his 2019 hate crime hoax appear to be nearing a conclusion, though many questions surrounding the case remain unanswered. The settlement with the city of Chicago brings a measure of closure to the lawsuit, but Smollett’s legacy and reputation seem as though they have been ruined forever, despite him creating this hoax to advance them.
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Any repayment he makes won’t begin to make up for the monetary damage he did. The true cost would be even higher. If he were in an honest state instead of leftist controlled Illinois, he would have spent time in prison too.