The Jussie Smollett Saga: From Alleged Hate Crime Victim to Convicted Hoaxer, and Back Again
In the frigid early morning hours of January 29, 2019, actor Jussie Smollett, known for his role on the hit television show Empire, reported a shocking attack to Chicago police. He claimed two masked men had assaulted him, shouting racist and homophobic slurs, dousing him with an unknown chemical substance, and placing a noose around his neck. The alleged attackers also reportedly invoked then-President Donald Trump’s “MAGA” slogan. News of the incident quickly spread, sparking outrage and an outpouring of support from celebrities and the public alike. Smollett’s account painted a disturbing picture of hate-fueled violence in America. However, the narrative would soon unravel, leading to one of the most controversial and convoluted legal cases in recent memory.
Initial police investigations seemed to corroborate Smollett’s story. The actor maintained he was on the phone with his manager at the time of the attack, and while he initially resisted handing over his phone to police, citing privacy concerns, he eventually provided redacted phone records. Police released images of “persons of interest” and continued their investigation. As the case garnered national attention, Smollett gave an emotional interview on Good Morning America, further detailing the attack and suggesting the perpetrators were white. He vehemently denied any suggestion that the attack was staged. However, the investigation took a sharp turn when police identified and questioned two Nigerian brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who had worked as extras on Empire.
The Osundairo brothers’ connection to Smollett raised suspicions, and police soon shifted their focus to the actor himself. After initially being considered a victim, Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Police alleged that Smollett had orchestrated the entire attack, paying the Osundairo brothers $3,500 to stage the incident. The motive, according to police, was Smollett’s dissatisfaction with his salary on Empire and a desire to boost his career. The about-face in the investigation shocked the public and led to widespread condemnation of Smollett. The actor was arrested and subsequently suspended from Empire.
The legal proceedings that followed were marked by twists and turns. Smollett pleaded not guilty to the charges. In a stunning development, all charges against Smollett were dropped in March 2019. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office cited Smollett’s forfeiture of his $10,000 bond and community service as reasons for the dismissal. However, the decision was met with intense criticism from Chicago officials, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who accused Smollett of a "whitewash of justice." Chicago police stood by their investigation and insisted Smollett had fabricated the attack. The controversy continued, with President Trump calling the case an "embarrassment to the nation."
The saga didn’t end there. A special prosecutor was appointed to investigate the handling of the case, leading to a new indictment against Smollett in February 2020. He faced six counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports to police. The trial finally began in November 2021, rehashing the details of the alleged attack and Smollett’s involvement with the Osundairo brothers. Smollett maintained his innocence throughout the trial, but in December 2021, he was found guilty on five of the six counts. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and ordered to pay a fine and restitution. Though briefly jailed, he was released pending appeal.
In a final twist, more than two years after his conviction, Smollett’s legal team successfully appealed the verdict. In November 2024, an Illinois appeals court overturned his conviction, arguing that Smollett should not have been charged again in 2020 after the original charges were dropped in exchange for community service. The court acknowledged the public dissatisfaction with the resolution of the case but upheld the principle that agreements with defendants should be honored. While the legal battle may be over, the Jussie Smollett case remains a complex and controversial chapter in the ongoing discussion about race, justice, and the media’s role in shaping public perception.