It’s been six years since the disgraced former Empire star Jussie Smollett allegedly staged a hate crime against himself. Now, he is finally being forced to pay up.
Smollett Forced To Pay Up
Smollett, 42, has reportedly reached a settlement with the city of Chicago, Illinois over his 2019 “hate crime” hoax lawsuit. As part of this settlement, Smollett will be forced to pay $50,000 to a charity of his choice.
Smollett was convicted in December of 2021 of lying to police about an incident that he alleged occurred two years before. The actor infamously claimed that in January of 2019, he was jumped by two men. He alleged that they beat him while hurling racist and homophobic slurs at him. Smollett claimed that they shouted “this is MAGA country” as they put a noose around his neck.
However, after investigating, police concluded that Smollett had staged this hate crime against himself. Indeed, they found that he had paid two Nigerian biological brothers to attack him. Smollett’s alleged goal was to garner enough publicity as a “hate crime” victim that he would be able to obtain a raise on his show Empire.
Civil Lawsuit
In 2019, the city of Chicago’s Law Department filed a civil lawsuit against Smollett. They did this to recover the over $130,000 that was spent on investigating his allegedly staged attack. This came after he failed to meet a city-imposed payment deadline.
This case has been dragging on for the last six years. Finally, it has come to an end after both sides reached a settlement. Smollett will not be forced to pay the six-figures in restitution for the investigation. However, he will need to cough up $50,000 for charity.
Smollett has reportedly chosen to donate the money to the Building Better Futures Center for the Arts organization in Chicago. This charity aims “to improve the quality of life for underprivileged youth and their families by providing safe, stable, and nurturing experiences that enhance social, emotional, academic, and career development.”
Find out more about this settlement in the video below.
Related: Hollywood Stars Who Supported Jussie Smollett Silent After He’s Found Guilty
Chicago And Smollett Respond
“This payment adds to the $10,000 payment Smollett previously made to the City in 2019 for a total sum of $60,000,” the Chicago Department of Law said in a statement.
“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 (ultimately reversed on procedural grounds),” the statement added. “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.”
Smollett responded to the settlement through his attorney Torri Hamilton.
“Jussie chose to end this saga by donating to a charity that focuses on the performing arts and underprivileged kids in Chicago,” Hamilton told The Independent. “Jussie has always loved the people of Chicago and this lawsuit has been dragging on for six years now. The decision to put it in his rearview mirror by supporting a cause already near and dear to his heart was not a difficult one.”
Smollett also issued a statement of his own. Read that for yourself below, if you can stomach it.
Related: Jussie Smollett Maintains His Innocence With New Song ‘Thank You God’
Smollett’s Conviction
At the end of 2021, Smollett was convicted of lying to police. Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months probation. He was also hit with a $130,160 fine.
Smollett immediately appealed the ruling. He only served a few days in jail before he was released pending this appeal. Last year, Smollett’s conviction was overturned on a process violation. To this day, Smollett claims that the “hate crime” really did happen. The vast majority of the public, however, firmly believes the police findings that Smollett made the entire thing up.
Many believe that Smollett tried to play on the racial and political divides that have long plagued our country for his own personal gain. While it’s satisfying to see Smollett finally be forced to pay up, one can’t help but think that he deserves an even bigger punishment.
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