Jussie Smollett and the City of Chicago have reached a settlement in the civil lawsuit stemming from the actor’s 2019 false hate crime report. The city initially sued Smollett for $130,000 to recover the costs of the police investigation into the staged attack. Details of the settlement remain confidential, pending final documentation.
A Look Back at the Jussie Smollett Incident
In January 2019, Smollett reported to police that he had been attacked by two men who used racial and homophobic slurs, poured bleach on him, and placed a noose around his neck. He claimed the assailants shouted, “This is MAGA country.” Subsequent investigations revealed that Smollett had orchestrated the attack with two acquaintances, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, paying them $3,500 to carry out the hoax.
The incident led to a complex legal saga. Initially, Cook County prosecutors dropped the charges after Smollett agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond and perform community service. However, public outcry prompted the appointment of a special prosecutor, who re-indicted Smollett on multiple counts of disorderly conduct. In 2021, he was convicted on five felony counts and sentenced to 150 days in jail, of which he served six days pending appeal.
In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett’s conviction, ruling that his due process rights had been violated when he was prosecuted a second time after the initial agreement. The court emphasized that the reversal did not equate to a declaration of innocence. Special Prosecutor Dan Webb stated, “The ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett’s innocence.”
Following the court’s decision, the City of Chicago continued to seek reimbursement for the costs incurred during the investigation. The recent settlement brings an end to this aspect of the legal proceedings. Smollett has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the process.
The resolution of this case closes a chapter on a high-profile incident that sparked national debate over hate crimes and the integrity of the criminal justice system.