Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has been indicted by a grand jury on 16 felony counts for submitting false police studies that he was a sufferer of a hate crime assault again in January, CBS and NBC report. The “false report of offense” prices Smollett faces are Class four felonies. Smollett’s arraignment is scheduled for March 14.
On January 29, it was reported that Smollett had been attacked in Chicago by two males in what gave the impression to be a hate crime. Smollett obtained an outpouring of help from the general public after the alleged incident. The following month, two males (recognized as brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo) have been arrested and questioned by police in reference to the alleged assault. Smollett was categorized as a suspect within the case after the boys have been launched from police custody with out prison prices on February 15. Later that month, Smollett was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
The grand jury has now returned the disorderly conduct prices and expanded the costs in opposition to Smollet, indicting him on 16 felonies. According to CBS, the indictment states: “Jussie Smollett knew that at the time… there was no reasonable ground for believing that such offenses had been committed.” Smollett allegedly made false statements to 2 totally different Chicago Police officers.
Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Jussie Smollett and the Chicago Police Department.
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