Jussie Smollett Arrested for Staging Attack, Police Say

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has been arrested after being charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report, The Washington Post reports. Police issued the felony charge yesterday, before Smollett handed himself in to authorities in Chicago. He was given a $100,000 bond, according to Chicago Tribune reporter Megan Crepeau.

During a press conference today, Chicago police chief Eddie Johnson alleged that Smollett sent “a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic, and political language,” and paid two men $3,500 to stage the attack because of apparent dissatisfaction with his job and salary. During the same press conference, Chicago PD stated that in an interview during Jussie’s hospitalization, it was revealed that “Jussie was not hurt other than scratches on his face. Maybe some bruising, but no broken ribs or serious injuries.”

On Thursday night, Smollett’s legal team issued the following statement (via Variety):

“Today we witnessed an organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system. The presumption of innocence, a bedrock in the search for justice, was trampled upon at the expense of Mr. Smollett and notably, on the eve of a Mayoral election. Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels betrayed by a system that apparently wants to skip due process and proceed directly to sentencing.”

In a joint statement, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment said, “We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options,” according to Variety and The Blast.

As the Tribune’s Megan Crepeau reports, Chicago prosecutors claimed that Smollett coordinated the staged attack with the alleged attackers. Prosecutors say Smollett sent a text message to one of the men, Abimbola Osundairo, that read, “Might need your help on the low. You around to meet up and talk face to face?” In the wake of Smollett’s arrest, the “Empire” actor’s upcoming appearance on TNT’s series “Drop the Mic” was canceled.

On January 29, it was reported that Smollett had been attacked in Chicago by two men. Police investigated the incident as a hate crime. Smollett’s original account of the alleged attack asserted that his assailants called him homophobic and racist slurs, put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him, and yelled “This is MAGA country” before fleeing the scene. Smollett received an outpouring of support from the public following the alleged incident.

On February 13, two men (identified as brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo) were arrested and questioned by police in connection with the alleged attack. Smollett was categorized as a suspect in the case after the men were released from police custody without criminal charges on February 15.

Both Smollett and his family released statements following the alleged attack. Smollett’s family referred to the incident as an “inhumane act of domestic terrorism.” In his own statement, Smollett said: “As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers, and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident.”

Smollett later appeared on “Good Morning America” to discuss the alleged attack.

This article was originally published on Thursday, February 21 at 7:51 a.m. Eastern. It was last updated on February 21 at 9:13 p.m. Eastern.