Long after Jussie Smollett declared himself a victim of an extreme political bias crime on the chilly streets of Windy City, the dust of the entire situation including numerous lawsuits has finally begun to settle — subsequent to the former star of Empire inking a check. To be precise, two checks. The announcement came a day after the Windy City officials declared they had reached an agreement with Smollett, providing him with a unique opportunity.
Smollett is making two noteworthy contributions: he has pledged to award $50,000 to a locally operating organization, and a further $10,000 to another. Smollett expressed, ‘Deciding to resolve the civil lawsuit was not necessarily the hardest decision. After consistent refusals to pay the City, I was presented with a chance to donate to charity, which provided the means for the case to be dismissed.’
In a turn of events last November, the Supreme Court of Illinois unanimous decision reversed the outcome of the high-profiled incident that Smollett endured. The court opined that it was a violation of Smollett’s rights for the special prosecutor, Dan Webb, to attempt to prosecute Smollett for the second time.
These events followed another twist where a jury in Chicago found Smollett guilty on five felony charges in December 2021, including misinformation about the alleged hate crime attack in the early morning hours of January 29, 2019. The incident captured national attention, earning the temporary empathy of the then-president, Donald Trump, serving his first term.
Over time, credibility issues arose with Smollet’s account of events, and he was dropped from the popular Danny Strong and Lee Daniels-produced hip hop drama. In rapid succession, Smollett was entangled in a whirlwind of courtroom appearances, detentions, and other legal actions.
At a specific time, local prosecuting bodies had agreed to absolve the actor of the charges as part of a deal where Smollett would forgo his $10,000 bail and agree to community service. The incident sparked a stirring political discussion in Chicago, with the police and more groups involved.
Subsequently, Smollett was brought under the scrutiny of a special prosecutor and brought before the court for alleged deception and manipulation of the truth for personal motives. Following years of legal strife, Smollett has finally closed this tumultuous chapter of his life.
In his words, ‘More than half a decade ago, after reports of me being attacked emerged, Chicago City officials embarked on a mission to persuade the public that I had orchestrated an assault on myself. This misconstrued narrative has cast a shadow over my reputation. They hungered for my confession and my money for a crime I had no hand in. Today, it should be clear they have not had either.’
Smollet continued, ‘Despite strenuous and costly attempts to penalize me, I remain unblemished in God’s sight and our legal system. What is critical now is to progress. I will persistently create my art, ardently champion the causes close to heart, and defend my integrity and family reputation with the truth.’
Although Smollett’s presence isn’t as regular on mainstream television as it was during Empire’s prime, he has been making concerted efforts to reestablish his career over the past few years. One of his recent works includes ‘The Lost Holiday,’ a movie he directed and starred in alongside Vivica A. Fox, which premiered on May 9.
In his concluding remarks, Smollett expressed gratitude for the resources available to him that allowed him to defend his innocence. ‘So many individuals do not possess these resources. Such people find themselves cornered, forced to accept deals or admit to offenses they did not commit. To honor them, I am giving an extra $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, dedicated to providing resources to communities recovering from the brutality of the Chicago Police Department.’
Finally, Smollett extended his support to those who have had to assert their victimhood. ‘The journey can be fraught with complications. You have my solidarity. To all those who have backed me, my gratitude knows no bounds. Your prayers and faith in me surpass what words can adequately express. I’ll never take it lightly; I can’t forget. Now, we move forward.’
The post Jussie Smollett Settles Lawsuit with Windy City, Donates to Charity appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
