Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett was handed his sentencing for his involvement in an alleged 2019 hate crime hoax. According to Consequence, the actor was handed a total of 30 months probation and five months jail time in a sentencing hearing at Cook County Courthouse this evening. He is also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago.
Smollett faced six counts of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report from an incident in which he told police he was a victim of an alleged hate crime. Smollett was found guilty on five of those counts in December of last year, according to Consequence. The alleged incident took place in January of 2019 when Smollet claimed he had exited his Chicago hotel room to get some late-night dinner. Upon his return from a nearby Subway, he alleged two men wearing ski masks accosted him with bleach and a noose, asking if he was “that f***** Empire n*****.”
An investigation into the incident found two alleged suspects who revealed that Smollett was behind the alleged attack. According to Consequence, Nigerian brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo claimed they were paid $3,500 by the Empire co-star to orchestrate the attack. They claimed Smollett sought notoriety and a way out of his contract on the hit TV series at the time.
Consequence reports that Judge James Linn had some terse words for Smollett before announcing the decision.
“Let me tell you, Mr. Smollett, that there is nothing I can do here today that will come close to the damage that you have already done to your own life,” Linn said. “You’ve turned your life upside down by your misconduct and your shenanigans.”
Prior to knowing his fate, Smollett’s defense team sought a new trial citing clerical errors during the case’s proceedings. According to Consequence, Tina Glandian, Smollett’s attorney, cited violation of double jeopardy when a new judge opted for a second investigation after Cook County’s State Attorney, Kim Foxx, initially dropped all charges. Glandian also claimed Smollett didn’t receive a fair trial alleging the jury selection was prejudiced. Judge Linn ultimately dismissed Glanian’s motion.
According to Consequence, a few character witnesses and statements were heard on Smollett’s behalf. Letters that were read came from actors Samuel L. Jackson (The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey) and his wife, LaTanya Richardson (The Fighting Temptations), actress Alfre Woodard (Juanita), the NAACP, Black Lives Matter, and activist Rev. Jesse Jackson. Despite these protests to incarceration, the judge handed Smollett 150 days in Cook County Jail. Before he was walked out of the courtroom, Smollett maintained his innocence and stated “I am not suicidal.” His dramatic exit can be viewed below.