Luis Montgomery
Staff Writer/MC301
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett dodged major jail time when his 16-felony indictments in connection with his Chicago attack allegations were dropped.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed that all charges against Smollett were dropped.
Smollett’s attorneys stated to the Press, “Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends, and career.”
Smollett’s case has unfolded over the past several weeks, leaving witnesses confused, shocked, and offended.
The whole landslide began with a threatening letter that was sent to the Fox Studio containing threatening language and laced with a powdery substance.
Days later, Smollett reported being attacked in the early hours of Jan. 29 near his apartment in Chicago.
Two masked men allegedly poured an unknown substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck.
In a follow-up interview with the police, Smollett alleges that the attackers yelled ‘MAGA country’, a reference to President Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan.
Only a few days into the investigation, Chicago police announced in a tweetthat they are seeking ‘two persons of interest’who were captured on surveillance video near the scene and around the time of the alleged attack.
Less than two weeks after the attack, Smollett made his first appearance on stage when he performed at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif.
“Regardless of what anyone else says, I will only stand for love,” Smollett said, tearing up before beginning his set. “We hope that you all stand with us.”
According to CBS News, Chicago police later announced that they had identified and were questioning the two persons of interestcaptured on a surveillance video.
By midday, CPD notified ABC News that the two suspects were under arrest and that the pair were well acquainted with the actor.
Chicago police identified the two men they arrested and later released as brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, both U.S. citizens of Nigerian descent.
The Osundairo brothers were taken into custody and interrogated by police investigating the alleged attack on Smollett in Chicago.
The brothers told authorities that the “Empire” actor allegedly paid them to help him orchestrate and stage the hate crime.
The two brothers spoke out publicly for the first time stating, “We are not racist. We are not homophobic and we are not anti-Trump. We were born and raised in Chicago and are American citizens.”
Chicago police say Smollett turned himself in to face charges but pled not guilty. A judge set his bond at $100,000 and ordered Smollett to surrender his passport.
The Cook County State’s Attorney Office announced that all charges against Smollett were dropped and his record would be wiped.
The office also stated that Smollett had forfeited his bond payment and did two days of community service.
Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent, Eddie Johnson, expressed their fury over the decision and say they stand by the accusations against Smollett.
Emanuel calls the move a “whitewash of justice” and implies Smollett’s fame helped him get off.
A lawyer for the city of Chicago says the city is seeking 130 thousandfrom the actor as restitution for the cost of the investigation he initiated.
President Trump tweeted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice would review the outrageous case, calling it an embarrassment to the country.
Also, Smollett has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, which was held in Hollywood, but he was not in attendance.
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