Celebrity Crime & Scandal Blog

In a stunning reversal, Chicago prosecutors on Tuesday dropped all charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett just weeks after he was indicted on 16 felony counts for allegedly filing a false police report.

Smollett, 36, was seen arriving at a Chicago courtroom around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday for an emergency hearing. Following his court appearance, his attorneys released a statement saying that the actor's "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 judgement," the statement read.

"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."

Smollett was charged earlier this month by a grand jury of 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for making a false report, according to a criminal complaint.

In February, he was charged with felony disorderly conduct after Chicago officers said he orchestrated his own alleged hate crime on himself in January because he was unhappy with his salary on the show "Empire."

His role on the Fox series, where he played Jamal Lyon, was cut from the final episodes of the fifth season "to avoid further disruption on set," the show's executive producers said in a joint statement on Feb. 22.

That is the weirdest story ever.

EDIT: "After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case." - DA

Oh, so he absolutely did it, they just don't think a media circus is worth it to put him in jail over this foolishness and the forfeiture of his bond is a de facto fine for his actions.

^there has to be more than this…is the FBI taking the case so the local case was dropped

Sïdehätch wrote:
^there has to be more than this…is the FBI taking the case so the local case was dropped

See my edit.

Sïdehätch wrote:
^there has to be more than this…is the FBI taking the case so the local case was dropped

Yeah, I'm too confused to have an opinion and I don't really care.

I do hate his name. WTF names their kid "Jussie?" The same people who name their kids Jurnee and Jocqui.

Jussie Smollett; “Empire” actor will forfeit $10,000 bond (also seeing  Jussie Smollett's bond at $100,000 ?!)

that seems pretty light, I do think this will not slide in Trump Town and there will be some furious tweets and I'm sure a DOJ investigation

Sigur Rós Charged With Tax Evasion
https://www.stereogum.com/2037745/sigur-ros-charged-with-tax-evasion/news/

= GANGSTA

nkotb wrote:
Felicity Huffman to Plead Guilty in College Admissions Scandal

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/actress-allison-mack-plead-guilty-role-alleged-new-york-sex-n992091

NYT has that pesky paywall.

Edit: I replied to the wrong post. whoops.

I don't want to hear about honest services fraud or money laundering; the real crime here is that belt, honey.

^ on brand, and a return to past form & glory.

That green tie is indefensible as well

I was here to make the belt comment. Dammitt! 

So, all i will say, is that from the looks of what is happening in his pants, the attorney(?) to her right may be Pete Davidson-sized if you know what I mean…

Sïdehätch wrote:
That green tie is indefensible as well

Oh, gee, the creative mind behind fucking Mossimo decided on something garish and flamboyant. Call me when we land on the moon.

challanged wrote:
I was here to make the belt comment. Dammitt! 

Good work. Julian's America rubbed off* on some of you in the end.

^{* - non-groper edition}

what about that man to her left.  Those pants; that crotch.  Learn how to wear shit, that fits, you idiot. 

finally a feel good story of clebs doing jail time, but making friends while doing it

Fyre Fest’s Billy McFarland and Jersey Shore’s The Situation are friends in prison

not a celebrity, but 2 outta 3 ain't bad:

Mayor of Baltimore resigns amid book scandal

Cardi B has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts of felony attempted assault in connection with a brawl at a New York strip club in August 2018.