Actor Jussie Smollett has been charged by Chicago police for filing a false report over an alleged attack last month.
The Empire star received a wave of community and celebrity support in January after he claimed to have been attacked, burned with chemicals and had a rope tied around his neck by two men shouting “This is MAGA country” – a reference to Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan.
Smollett’s assault was questioned by US media, who reported that his two attackers were known to the actor. Brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo both appeared as extras on Empire, and one works as Smollett’s personal trailer.
A spokesperson for the Chicago police said on Twitter that Smollett has been charged for “disorderly conduct / filing a false police report.”
“Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest.”
Earlier this week Smollett’s legal team denied accusations that the actor fabricated the assault, writing that he is “angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with.”
“He has now been further victimised by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”
Smollett’s lawyers are yet to release a statement on today’s events.
OIP Staff
