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NBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Jussie Smollett to make charitable donations to settle Chicago's hoax attack lawsuit
Weeks after the city of Chicago and Jussie Smollett announced a settlement to resolve their yearslong legal battle over the actor's 2019 claim that he was the victim of a hate crime, Smollett took to social media to disclose the terms of the agreement. Smollett said Friday he would donate $50,000 to the Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts charity as part of a deal to secure the case's dismissal. Smollett said would be making an additional $10,000 donation to the Chicago Torture Justice Center. NBC News reached out to both organizations and the city of Chicago to confirm Smollett's donations and details of the settlement, but did not immediately receive a response to a request for comment. The actor said his decision to settle the civil suit was 'not the most difficult' to make and allowed him to support the communities 'too often neglected by those in power.' Smollett, who is Black and gay, first reported a hate crime committed against him in January 2019, alleging that two men confronted him with racial and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him. However, police and city officials later said he orchestrated the hoax hate crime against himself. The city's suit accused Smollett of submitting a false police report on Jan. 29, 2019, saying he knew his attackers and planned the attack, and it sought $130,000 in expenses spent on the police investigation. Smollett countersued, denying that he orchestrated the attack. Brothers Olabingo and Abimbola Osundairo, who worked on the 'Empire' set, said they were paid by Smollett to stage the hate crime and testified against the actor during his trial. Smollett was found guilty on five counts of felony disorderly conduct in December 2021, and sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months' probation in March 2022, but the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the conviction in November 2024 over prosecutorial issues. The state high court ruled that Smollett should have never been charged in the first place after entering a nonprosecution agreement with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Smollett has maintained his innocence over the years. He ended his post thanking his supporters.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Settling Lawsuit With The City Of Chicago
Actor and singer Jussie Smollett has addressed his lawsuit settlement with the City of Los Angeles. Reports revealed the "Empire" star had agreed to pay $50,000 to charity after the Chicago police wanted him to pay $130,000 to cover investigation costs. The situation emanated from 2019 when Smollett claimed to be a victim of a racist and homophobic attack. However, the case had many twists and turns, with the singer accused of lying to law enforcement, although he has always maintained his innocence. On Friday, Smollett took to his Instagram page to express his feelings after settling the lawsuit with the City of Chicago. In the first part of his statement, he firmly reiterated his long-standing claim of innocence and criticized the city's officials for allegedly pushing a false narrative. Smollett said, "Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself." He continued, "This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear. These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do." He added, "Today, it should be clear .... They have received neither." Smollett clarified that his $50,000 payment was voluntary and would benefit a nonprofit organization. He also stressed that it wasn't a payment to the City of Chicago. The actor explained, "The decision to settle the civil lawsuit was not the most difficult one to make. After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed." He continued, "Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family. Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support." Smollett revealed, "I've made a $50,000.00 direct donation to Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts (BBF), a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth." He explained further, "This organization was of my choosing and I'm comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience." In his closing remarks, Smollett referenced his exoneration and acknowledged the ongoing public skepticism. He pledged to continue his advocacy and creative work while also using his platform to uplift those who lack the means to defend themselves. "Though I was exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court in a unanimous decision and the civil case will now be dismissed, I'm aware that it will not change everyone's mind about me or the attack I experienced," he said. "However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent in the eyes of God and our criminal justice system. What I have to do now is move forward. I will continue creating my art, fighting passionately for causes I hold dear and defending my integrity and family name with the truth." He also said, "Lastly, I'm grateful to have had the resources to defend myself. So many do not. They are backed into corners to take deals or confess to crimes they did not actually commit. In their honor, I am donating an additional $10,000.00 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center who provides resources to communities healing from the violence of the Chicago Police Department. " "The Skinny" star added, "To anyone who has had to prove they have in fact been violated, you know how difficult this can be to navigate. I stand with and for you." He concluded, "To everyone who has supported me, thank you. Your prayers and belief in me mean more than words can properly express. I will never take it lightly and will never forget. Onward." In January 2019, Jussie Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was assaulted in a hate crime involving racial and homophobic slurs. He was treated at the hospital and released the same day. A police investigation later concluded that Smollett had orchestrated the attack by paying two brothers, who were acquaintances, to stage the incident. A grand jury indicted Smollett for filing a false police report. However, in March 2019, the charges were dropped after he agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond and perform 16 hours of community service. The City of Chicago later sued him to recover over $130,000 in investigative costs. In response, Smollett filed a countersuit claiming reputational damage and maintaining his innocence. Due to public backlash and allegations of prosecutorial leniency, a special prosecutor re-investigated the case. In 2020, Smollett was indicted again on six counts of felony disorderly conduct. He stood trial in late 2021 and was found guilty on five counts. In March 2022, he received a sentence of 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and was ordered to pay over $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine. Smollett appealed the conviction, arguing it violated his constitutional protections since he had already fulfilled an informal agreement in 2019. Though lower courts upheld the verdict, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed his conviction on November 21, 2024, ruling that retrying him breached his due process rights.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jussie Smollett to donate $50,000 to local charity to settle city lawsuit
Former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett will donate $50,000 to a local nonprofit organization to settle a city lawsuit that sought reimbursement for money spent during a Chicago police investigation of the infamous alleged hoax in January 2019. The settlement resolves Smollett's last remaining legal matter here in Chicago after the state Supreme Court in November overturned his criminal convictions and ordered the case dismissed, finding that a special prosecutor's decision to retry him for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself violated his rights after the Cook County state's attorney's office previously dropped all charges. Smollett and the city reached an agreement last month, according to court records, but the two parties have now made the terms of settlement public. More than six years ago, Smollett told police that two men attacked him in the Streeterville neighborhood, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. His story quickly unraveled, though, according to police, and Cook County prosecutors charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for allegedly concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack. Months later, the prosecutor's office controversially dropped charges against Smollett, though it did not deter the city from trying to recoup $130,106 in police overtime hours expended in the investigation into his allegations. Smollett then filed a counterclaim against the city. In a statement released on behalf of Smollett, the actor said the decision to settle was not a difficult one. 'After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed,' the statement said. 'Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family.' The donation will be made to the Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, an organization that provides programs and services to children. Separate from the settlement, Smollett said he is donating $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center. A spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Law said in a statement that the donation is in addition to the $10,000 in bail money Smollett forfeited when his charges were first dropped. 'Since the City filed its lawsuit, Smollett has faced additional accountability through the appointment of a Special Prosecutor and subsequent criminal trial, where the evidence was publicly aired and a conviction secured,' the statement said, though it noted that the conviction was overturned. 'Accordingly, the City believes this settlement provides a fair, constructive, and conclusive resolution, allowing all the parties to close this six-year-old chapter and move forward.' After the Cook County state's attorney's office dropped charges against Smollett, a judge assigned a special prosecutor to investigate amid the ensuing uproar. Special prosecutor Dan Webb eventually filed new charges, and Smollett was convicted by a jury on five of six counts of disorderly conduct in December 2021. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution. The high court decision, though, nullified his conviction and sentence.
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett to donate $50,000 to local charity to settle city lawsuit
Former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett will donate $50,000 to a local nonprofit organization to settle a city lawsuit that sought reimbursement for money spent during a Chicago police investigation of the infamous alleged hoax in January of 2019. The settlement resolves Smollett's last remaining legal matter here in Chicago after the state Supreme Court in November overturned his criminal convictions and ordered the case dismissed, finding that a special prosecutor's decision to retry him for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself violated his rights after the Cook County state's attorney's office previously dropped all charges. Smollett and the city reached an agreement last month, according to court records, but the two parties have now made the terms of settlement public. Now more than six years ago, Smollett told police that two men attacked him in the city's Streeterville neighborhood, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. His story quickly unraveled, though, according to police, and Cook County prosecutors charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for allegedly concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack. Months later, the prosecutor's office controversially dropped charges against Smollett, though it did not deter the city from trying to recoup $130,106 police overtime hours expended in the investigation into his allegations. Smollett then filed a counterclaim against the city. In a statement released on behalf of Smollett, the actor said the decision to settle was not a difficult one. 'After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed,' the statement said. 'Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family.' The donation will be made to the Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, an organization that provides programs and services to children. Separate from the settlement, Smollett said he is donating $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center. A spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Law said in a statement that the donation is in addition to the $10,000 in bail money Smollett forfeited when his charges were first dropped. 'Since the City filed its lawsuit, Smollett has faced additional accountability through the appointment of a Special Prosecutor and subsequent criminal trial, where the evidence was publicly aired and a conviction secured,' the statement said, though it noted that the conviction was overturned. 'Accordingly, the City believes this settlement provides a fair, constructive, and conclusive resolution, allowing all the parties to close this six-year-old chapter and move forward.' After the Cook County state's attorney's office dropped charges against Smollett, a judge assigned a special prosecutor to investigate amid the ensuing uproar. Special Prosecutor Dan Webb eventually filed new charges, and Smollett was convicted by a jury of five of six counts of disorderly conduct in December of 2021. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution. The high court decision, though, nullified his conviction and sentence.
