9:22 AM PT — Jussie and his lawyer just addressed the media, and the takeaway message was simple … he’s happy with the result in this case and wants to get on with his life. Jussie’s attorney reiterated that this was not a deal Jussie struck with prosecutors — they dropped the charges on their own, and he forfeited his bond voluntarily … it wasn’t a tit-for-tat sitch. His attorney didn’t comment on whether he’d be pursuing legal recourse against Chicago PD or the Osundairo Brothers. His attorney did say this would hopefully serve as a lesson not to try cases in the court of public opinion before they could be properly investigated.
Jussie then took to the podium and made some brief comments. He thanked everyone who supported him through this case. He maintained that he’d been truthful and consistent the entire time, adding that he would not be his mother’s son if he did what he was accssed of doing — namely, lying to police and staging a hate crime. He added … that he would never put the LGBTQ movement “through a fire like this.” He said he wanted to get back to work and move on, also saying that he’d never stop fighting for marginalized groups.
He and his posse then went outside and spoke a bit more to reporters. Jussie said he loved his “Empire” cast members and that they’d been supportive as well.
8:45 AM PT – Jussie’s family has also released a statement celebrating the news. They state, “This morning truth has prevailed and (Jussie) has been vindicated.”
They continue, “While many were quick to rush to judgement before hearing the actual truth, we are grateful that the truth about Jussie has come to light. We look forward to bringing the real perpetrators to justice.”
8:35 AM PT — State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office says, “After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case.”
The statement is consistent with what our sources said about Jussie only getting community service if he’d been convicted. The decision is NOT sitting well with Chicago PD.
On the other hand, Jussie’s co-workers on “Empire” are celebrating on Twitter.
Jussie Smollett will not be prosecuted for allegedly faking a racial attack, because all charges have been dropped!!! Jussie and his lawyers will address the media at 8:45 AM PT. We will live stream.
Jussie and his lawyers ran to court Tuesday morning in Chicago, where he was facing 16 felony counts of lying to police in the alleged racial and homophobic attack.
Jussie will surrender his $10,000 bond. But, that’s it. The case is over.
We’re told the State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx, told Chicago police she was dropping the case because Jussie would have only gotten community service if convicted and she said he has already performed community service so there is no point in prosecuting him. We could not find any record of Smollett doing community service.
We’re told Chicago police are “furious” and feel something untoward is going on with Kim Foxx.
Jussie’s lawyers say, “Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public, causing an inappropriate rush to judgment.”
The lawyers go on … “Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.”
A source close to Jussie says the prosecution’s case “disintegrated.” As we reported, there were issues with the $3,500 check the 2 brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo, received from Jussie. The Police Superintendent had said the money was payment for the fake attack, but it appears it was actually for physical training.
The Police Superintendent also said during a news conference that Jussie wrote that threatening letter 6 days before the attack when in actuality the FBI had not concluded who wrote the letter.
Originally Published — 8:11 AM PT