Jussie Smollett has had all charges against him dropped. The Empire actor was facing 16 felony counts for filing a false police report. However, at an emergency court hearing today, all charges were dropped. Jussie, 36, and his legal team attended an emergency hearing in Chicago this morning, where, according to TMZ, he was told to perform community service. The actor will surrender his $10,000 (£7,500) bond, and his record has been wiped clean.
Smollett’s legal team said in a statement: ‘Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public, causing an inappropriate rush to judgment.
‘Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.’