Actor Jussie Smollett turned himself into police this morning after a grand jury determined he faked his own hate crime in Chicago last month.
During a press conference earlier this morning, Chicago Police confirmed that Smollett turned himself in at around 5 am Thursday morning. He faces a Class 4 felony charge, which carries a punishment of up to 3 years in prison, for disorderly conduct in falsifying a police report. A bond hearing is scheduled for later today.
Police say Smollett paid two men $3500 (by check!) to stage an attack against him because “he was dissatisfied with his salary” on Empire. Evidently, the $20,000 per episode he receives wasn’t enough for the 36-year-old actor.
Related: Memers are coming for Jussie Smollett and it’s all getting very uncomfortable
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“Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career,” Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said at the press conference. “This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn, and certainly didn’t deserve.”
Meanwhile, Smollett’s attorneys issued a statement reminding everyone that he is innocent until proven guilty.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” the statement said.
And now, the tweets…
"Jussie Smollett can finally breathe a sigh of relief – his attacker has been arrested!"
— Connor Caffey (@TheCaffey) February 21, 2019
Me at Jussie Smollett pic.twitter.com/JS60sOlHww
— Angela Taylor (@angie2lit) February 21, 2019
Jussie Smollett staged the attack because he was “dissatisfied with his salary”
He made around $20,000 per ‘Empire’ episode. There’s better ways to ask for a raise without committing a felony. Just saying ?
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) February 21, 2019
Jussie Smollett is the exception that the right wing will make the rule.
— Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) February 21, 2019
"dissatisfied with his salary" #JussieSmollett pic.twitter.com/zdEtV9KYzN
— Kels? (@zaynlove2016) February 21, 2019
The level of damage that Jussie Smollett has done for real victims of brutal hate crimes is nothing short of shameful and he should be held accountable for it. No one is to blame for his actions but himself. Incredibly disappointing of how this saga has unfolded.
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) February 21, 2019
Jussie Smollett is really, really bad at crime stuff.
— andy lassner (@andylassner) February 21, 2019
The black community and the LGBT community to Jussie Smollett. pic.twitter.com/rc1gkFvt8J
— Christian (@XtianGuendulain) February 21, 2019
If in fact Jussie Smollett fabricated his story, the lesson learned is not that false allegations occur – we knew that – it’s that when taken seriously and investigated properly, they are usually found out.
— feminist next door (@emrazz) February 21, 2019
You don't have to feel bad for supporting Jussie Smollett in the beginning. People have lost their lives to racism, hate crimes and homophobia and the decent thing to do is to show them love and support. You did what was human and right – listening to victims.
— Nerve Bender (@okemzuruoke) February 21, 2019
Actor Jussie Smollett in custody when the police ask him if anyone else was involved ??? #JussieSmollettIsOverParty #JussieSmollettHoax pic.twitter.com/mBv03MBHyK
— ki'. (@Ikirstyy) February 21, 2019
I mean, wouldn’t it have been easier to just pick up a few .@Uber shifts? ??????????#JussieSmollett
— Andrea M (@AndreaCthatsme) February 21, 2019
Chrisk
I feel bad for Jusse. I don’t know if most of you know this but he comes from a large celebrity family. Jussie was groomed from day one to be a star.
Then he looks at his co-stars like Terrence Howard making $165,000. I can see why he was angry.
Bob LaBlah
Chris, Jussie was a mediocre actor and singer. In every song he sang certain parts of his singing was drowned out by the music. As for his acting skills I always took him as that necessary part of a scene todays society demands. Were his skills that great he would have packed up and left for greener pastures but its clear he knew they weren’t and acted accordingly.
Chrisk
He did get a movie role in alien in covenant.
Josh447
If only he had worked his way up to Terence level, instead of trying to cut in line.
Bob LaBlah
Chris, tell the truth. In that movie didn’t you feel as though you were watching Jamal Lyons trying to act instead of Jussie Smollett expanding his career? I saw no difference in either character. When you accept a part in a movie the role should take the viewer away from that you were doing in the past. He didn’t succeed. And to give him the benefit of the doubt he could only go so far with the material he had to work with (a long since dead franchise that should have stayed buried as should Star Wars, Star Trek, Godzilla etc..).
QueerTruth
You lost your mind with that comment.
You think it’s about his salary? And you see how this could make him angry?
No. Just no.
Chrisk
Maybe true Bob but I’ll always be a fan of the alien franchise. 😉
Chrisk
Yes I do. it’s already been reported that he was dissatisfied with his salary of $65,000 per episode. That might seem like allot but as I said the other players on the show we’re making around a $165,000 per episode.
QueerTruth
I don’t buy that. Then again, I don’t care anymore. He’s the poster child for CRY WOLF now.
PScott67
There are only 3 excuses for what he did: Selfishness, Greed & Laziness.
kangaroo
I liked the Alien franchise too, i guess he could get a role moving forward provided he was wearing a mask and costume .. perhaps the new Alien.
Terrorizer
Are you Serious?
Boo fricken Hoo he wasn’t the Star he was groomed for.
Reality check most people in acting don’t achieve their dreams.
So saying you feel sorry for this OVER PRIVILEGED RASCIST CRIMINAL is disgusting.
I hope they send his his LYING CORRUPT FAKE VICTIM ASS TO PRISON WHERE HE IS TURNED OUT SO HE CAN LEARN WHAT BEING A REAL VICTIM IS!
BTW WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT U JUSTIFYING A LYING, RASCIST, P.O.S. ACTIONS FOR MONEY. HOW MANY FAKE RASCIST, HOMOPHOBIC ACCUSATIONS HAVE U MADE TO BETTER YOURSELF AT SOMEONE ELSES EXPENSE?
Bytemenow
Terrence Howard is a seasoned Oscar nominated and Screen Actor’s Guild nominated actor. Jussie Smollett to date is not. Terrence Howard has been in the business for a long time and has paid his dues. Jussie Smollett to date has not. These young folks come out of the womb demanding top dollar and think they deserve to start out on top. Whether Smollett was paid $20,000 per episode or $65,000 per episode for a 15-show season (give or take) for 4-5 years, that’s more than what a huge segment of the population will make in their lifetime. Sounds like he wanted to be a baller, but instead he’s a crawler. To concoct some stupid story like this is one thing, but for one to believe that they’re smarter than authorities who’s daily occupation is solving mysteries, is just the height of arrogance, stupidity, mental illness, or all of them.
Brian
I don’t think it’s necessary to include “to date” when comparing Jussie and Terence’s achievements. It’s a pretty safe assumption that there are no showbiz awards in Jussie’s future.
nicholsr
Jusse did more in 2 mins to damage all the LGBTQ+ community has accomplished in 10 years. Hey Jusse did you ever think that you can never fix STUPID!
Ashke113
Chrisk feel bad all you want for Jusse because hardly anyone else does. He cared only about money at the expense of every black and LGBT person in the world that came before him and will come after. He now made it a joke for anyone to try to claim a hate crime against another and now because of his greed we are all paying for his selfish actions. He deserves whatever is coming to him in the courts and gods help him in prison. He now lost his life that he had all for that $$$…….I rooted for him and he stabbed us all in the back. Go ahead feel sorry for his overprivelaged greedy ass while we suffer for it, he can burn in hell for all I care.
Tony1129
That’s NO excuse, he had it made, he wasn’t the star of the show, 20k per episode, I’ll gladly take it.
Greed is never a good thing, you negotiate your contract, not fake a hate crime. He made it 10x worse for real LGBT victims.
James Hart
Smollett is a terrible actor, and “Empire” is a pathetic program.
The program is trashy and the actors in it, with few exceptions are trash.
Toofie
Lol! You can’t be for real! Jussie wasn’t the lead on the show. He’s supporting, like every other character to Cookie and Luscious. He was making $65,000 per episode! Basically $65,000 a week. And not even a full week since he’s not in every scene. Bet he’s not going to like his salary now…
BGinBigD
BULLSHIT!! She a stupid foo!
Polaro
People lie. This is the fundamental problem with the Believe concept. Not everyone is telling the truth, which means we need to investigate before reaching a conclusion. As far as Jussie goes, it does not look good, but I will wait and see.
Brian
Dude, the investigation is done. That’s why he was indicted.
At this point, to believe Jussie is to believe that he thought the brothers, who he apparently had been on the phone with quite a bit in the days leading up to the incident, were 2 white men. How exactly is this possible? He didn’t say he couldn’t tell their race because they were completely covered up, he said they were white.
Why would you believe something that stupid?
Ashke113
Wait and see?…he paid the brothers with a check. Are you serious
Bytemenow
Wait and see what? He’s been indicted, jailed, posted bond, and now awaits trial. His attorneys will probably try to cut a deal with prosecutors for no jail time, a public apology, paying a stiff fine, and community service. Another option is to plead no contest, where he’ll get the same consequences of being guilty without having to admit guilt. But, I’m sure that he knows that issuing a public apology will be played on a loop from now on. That It’s a wrap.
batesmotel
There is no more investigation. It’s over. They discovered he was lying. Now he’s being indicted by a grand jury for sentencing.
Chevelter
Huffington Post reports that Smollett was paid $65,000 per episode for the most recent season of the show. 18 episodes.
@DmitriyR
$65,000 per episode – good for him.
Bytemenow
$65,000 per episode? Oh, poor him. There are millions of homeless people going to bed tonight without a roof over their head. There are millions of children who will cry themselves to sleep because of an empty stomach. There is so much human calamity going on for those who have to go without, and Jussie Smollett cooks up a bogus claim, because he can’t make ends meet with $65,000 per episode. Child please. I think they should make him live and work at a homeless shelter to give him a dose of reality.
mz.sam
Jussie Smollett said Mexico will pay for his bail….after he gets a pay raise from the producers of his Telenovela.
MISTERJETT
what a stupid thing to say. anyone laughing??? no?? me either.
Ashke113
mz.sam next time you have a thought……don’t
Billy Budd
He certainly does not have a high IQ. Very stupid thing to do.
Bob LaBlah
Not surprisingly his past (as in skeletons in his closet) is beginning to surface. He pleaded no contest to a charge of lying to a police officer for a DUI. I bet there is tons more out there that will be revealed by this evening. Lord have mercy this girl is going to regret this. If $65k per week wasn’t enough for your ten minutes (some times less than that) of screen time per week look and see how much the poor guy who works at Subway earns per year and see if anyone will listen to your complaints.
MarathonBoy
Has there ever been an alleged hate crime which involved either a political slogan, a political catch phrase, or a politician’s name that has panned out as authentic?
Bob LaBlah
During the election of 2016 there were two reports of hate crimes against Trump supporters that were proven bogus. This too will be long forgotten by Easter. Jussie was basically a nobody crying out for attention and attention is what he got. He just hadn’t planned for it to be the end of his career and financial ruin by the times its all over. God help him had one of those detectives did so much as slip down a flight of stairs while investigating this hoax.
OzJosh
Questioning every other hate crime because one douchebag made a false allegation is nothing short of disgusting.
Kieran
I just hope Jussie Smollett will finally be able to sleep at night, knowing that the racist psychopath who attacked him has finally been arrested
Josh447
Oh my. He’s toast. He paid the two brothers $3500 in the form of, A CHECK! Which the police have as evidence. This is not a great script for a movie, unless sheer stupidity is highlighted as the main theme.
Doug
This whole stunt was so poorly planned and enacted that it’s funny.
kangaroo
Your right, not allot of thought went into that one, i don’t think he will be playing a detective in any new series soon :-((
JackKirby
He’s the Milli Vanilli of hate crimes
Ashke113
No you didn’t ???LMMFFAO
BGinBigD
AMEN
IAMBROWN
I was hoping this wasn’t true. But there it is. Very disappointed. No I’m disgusted. There aren’t many openly gay black men who are celebs, this is a huge blow. I don’t care why he did it. There’s always another way. Other opportunities had he been patient. This is just crazy.
bowlingbutch
My heart goes out to him for doing such a stupid stupid thing. Too much too soon? If it was over his salary this was not the way to go. Who convinced him this was good?
mshole
I am a Chicagoan so we have been hearing about this nonstop since it happened. There was something not right about his story from the beginning but I wanted to be supportive of him even though I had serious doubts. I am angered by his abuse of those who truly are victims of hate crimes and the potential damage it has caused for those reporting similar allegations. This has been a waste of time to an overworked police department in a city that has some serious crime issues. And damn Jussie, you are just plain stupid on so many levels-maybe the Subway you stopped at the night of “the attack” can give you a job now.
boymikefl
Who found him guilty, a judge? Is the judge using his/her religious rights? Or was this O.J’s judge? Humans. Never wrong? I want to hear about the proof. Anybody in here know? Is it he said she said? 2 bro’s I’m sure said they were paid cash. Was there DNA on the envelope? Did Jussie withdrawl $3,500? I see you all also trust the judgement without proof. I want proof.
Ashke113
He wrote a check to them, don’t you check up on the news outlets. A personal check for the brothers to beat his ass so he can walk around with a noose around his neck and claim a hate crime just to try to get a raise……
Tony1129
Enough already, he’s guilty, the proof you speak of has already been submitted. You were just late to class.
No one gets indicted without proof, I’m just saying.
batesmotel
Sounds like you just woke up. It’s been national news all day that he faked it.
Toofie
Smollett wrote a CHECK! They also detailed EVERYTHING.
boymikefl
Plus, was this a MAGA judge or Brett Kavanaugh? Partisan judges are real. RBG said Trump was incompetent. Welcome back RBG?
batesmotel
Huh?
James Hart
The judge was an Obama appointee, you moron.
am
I just love how people who from the beginning on thought the whole thing is suspicious were bullied on Queerty. And now Queerty and its readership bully Jussie. Says a lot about so called gay/LGBTQIA+ culture.
batesmotel
That’s why their loyalty is non-existent. On social media and with your personal connections. Their minds change in the span of ten seconds.
MISTERJETT
i’m just so disappointed. i was really hoping he wasn’t lying. this is all so unnecessary.
Heywood Jablowme
Did the $3,500 check clear?
justyouandi
When Chicago Police told Jussie they had arrested two suspects he was going to sign a complaint. Only when he found out it was the brothers did he decide not to. He was prepared to send two men he knew were innocent to prison for his hoax.
How low is that?
Vince
That was a point most I made and most here have missed. No doubt he would’ve done it all the way to the end. That makes him a sociopath.
Brian
Even if he didn’t sign the complaint, his attorney did say something to the effect of Jussie being so disappointed to find out the attackers were his acquaintances. So he had no problem fingering them publicly.
jdr11201
Sad. Sad, sad ;/
What’s the use he’s done the crime no it’s time to pay. Good luck you poor boy.
🙁
CobraPowers
Ok, and where are the apologies from Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, Nancy Pelosi and every single celebrity and politician as well as gay online publication who tried to push this FAKE NEWS story to feed people more misery, division and hatred?
Rock-N-RollHS
I clicked thinking I’d find some Tweeters of note (you know like Michelle or Oprah–LMAO!), but who the hell cares what some Joe or Jolene with a phone thinks. Next. . .
CobraPowers
And who the hell actually cares what Michelle Obama says?
Minyassa
I’m glad I held out for the truth to come out. Now I can feel good about joining the pitchfork and torches crowd. Seriously though he deserves a hell of a lot of venom from any marginalized group that has to deal with actual hate crimes. He’s done a lot of damage.
ShowMeGuy
I’m still working on the logic-train that if I were to get queer bashed and proxy lynched that my employer will give me a pay raise….or I can somehow use that experience to generate new income streams. I just don’t understand.