Jussie Smollet jailed 150 days for faking hating crime
Former Empire star Jussie Smollet has been sentenced to 150 days in jail, after being found guilty of staging a hate crime.
Smollet’s conviction includes 30 months’ probation and $145,000 (£110,000) in restitution and fines. He was found guilty of five charges of felony disorderly conduct after making false reports about an attack.
“I am innocent, and I am not suicidal,” the actor said, after he was sentenced.
“If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBT community,” he said. “I did not do this and I am not suicidal. If anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself.”
Three years ago, Smollet claimed he was attacked by two assailants while walking late at night in January 2019 and that during the attack, a “chemical substance” was dumped on him. He said they tied a noose around his neck, while shouting slurs at him and a Trump slogan.
Investigations began February 2019, and the star was eventually charged with filing a false police report, alleging he staged the attack.
Two supposed assailants, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, testified against Smollet, claiming he paid them $3,500 for alleged assault.
Smollett faced up to three years in prison for each of the five counts and must also pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago and $25,000 in fines.
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