In The Know

Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury

Getty Images

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts by a grand jury in Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday, according to court records.

ABC 7 Chicago reported Friday that the State Attorney’s Office in Cook County confirmed Smollett’s indictment, which was returned by a grand jury Thursday.

{mosads}Smollett initially was charged with one felony count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report last month.

According to ABC 7, each charge carries a possible sentence from probation to up to four years in prison. Smollett pleaded not guilty to the disorderly conduct charge.

A spokesman for 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment told The Hill that the network and studio had no comment on the development.

Experts told ABC 7 that Smollett is likely to accept a plea deal and might not end up spending time in prison. 

Smollett originally told police he was attacked by two men, claiming they tied a rope around his neck and yelled racial slurs and pro-Trump phrases.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Smollett paid two brothers $3,500 to fabricate the attack because he was “dissatisfied with his salary.”

One brother was reportedly an extra on “Empire” while the other was reportedly Smollett’s personal trainer.

—Updated at 6:27 p.m. Judy Kurtz contributed.

Tags Chicago Crime Empire Jussie Smollett

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

See all Hill.TV See all Video

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video