How Jussie Smollett Went From Beloved Actor To Charged With Felony
Jussie Smollett, one of the stars of the hit show Empire, claims that on January 29, 2019, he was attacked by two men yelling racial and homophobic slurs who tied a noose around his neck. The singer was hospitalized, and the Chicago police department said they were treating the incident as a possible hate crime. In the days that followed, many reached out with support for the actor, while there also remained many unanswered questions.
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As the police continued their investigation, the story took a sharp turn. According to police, two Nigerian brothers who were questioned as possible suspects claim Smollett orchestrated the entire attack and paid them $3,500.
WATCH: Journalists With Opposing Views Weigh In On Jussie Smollett Case
Smollett surrendered to Chicago police and was charged with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, although he maintains he’s a victim. If convicted, he faces a $25,000 fine and a prison sentence up to three years.
Hear more of the story in the video above.
On Wednesday’s episode of Dr. Phil, journalists and media personalities, including Harvey Levin from TMZ Live, share their various theories about the allegations and investigation which has raised questions such as: How often do hate crimes occur? And, why would a person lie about a hate crime? Check here to see where you can watch.
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TMZ’s Harvey Levin Shares New Information About Jussie Smollett Case
