Charges dropped against Jussie Smollett

All criminal charges against Jussie Smollett, the Empire actor who was charged by Chicago authorities for filing a fake police report alleging he was attacked by two men in late January, have now been dropped.

The prosecutor who decided to drop the charges admitted that he did not believe the Empire star was innocent but added he dropped the case because the actor had no criminal background.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson have decried the move as being a “whitewash of justice” and said Smollett got off “scot-free” simply because he was famous.

After police suspected Smollett faked his own hate crime, the actor was removed from the final two episodes of Empire’s fifth season, and producers considered recasting his role. 20th Century Fox Television, the studio that produces Empire, said today in a statement: “Jussie Smollett has always maintained his innocence and we are gratified that all charges against him have been dismissed.”

In a statement, Smollett’s family indicated their delight saying the decision vindicated Smollett and proved he was innocent.

“Our son and brother is an innocent man whose name and character has been unjustly smeared,” the family said, adding: “While many were quick to rush to judgment before hearing the actual truth, we are grateful that the truth about Jussie has come to light.”

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