Jussie Smollett, former 'Empire' actor, pleads not guilty to new charges in connection with alleged attack

Monday, February 24, 2020
CHICAGO -- Actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty in court Monday to new charges for allegedly lying about an attack in Chicago last year.

Smollett had been re-charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct stemming from the January 2019 incident. Smollett had been re-charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct stemming from the January 2019 incident. His bond was set at $20,000 and he is scheduled to be back in court on March 18.

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The "Empire" actor told police he was targeted in a racist and homophobic attack. After an investigation, police determined Smollett staged the attack and hired two brothers to help pull it off.

Police said Smollett staged the attack on himself because he was unhappy with his "Empire" salary.

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Last year, Smollett pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct and weeks later, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx's office dismissed the case.

Special Prosecutor Dan Web was then appointed in August to look into the case, and the way it was handled by Foxx. A grand jury recently returned a new six-count indictment

Smollett's attorneys said they are worried about double jeopardy and plan to make an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.

In addition to the indictment, the city of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against Smollett to recoup $130,000 spent on the investigation. Smollett has filed a counterclaim that accused the city and CPD of ignoring key evidence that proved Jussie Smollett's claim of an attack.

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