Jussie Smollett: The actor was convicted of lying for assault.
Written byTimes Magazine
American actor Jussie Smollett lied to the police when he claimed the Jury found the victim of a racist attack, homophobia, in Chicago. At trial this week, 39-year-old Smolet denied organizing a fraudulent attack against himself.
Prosecutors countered that he "lingered for hours" at the booth while repeating what he told Chicago police.
He was found guilty of five acts of hooliganism on Thursday. Each charge carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. However, given Smollett's lack of earlier rulings, experts believe a lighter punishment or parole is possible. The judgment date has not been set.
The lawsuit stems from an incident nearly three years ago, in January 2019, when the former star of the TV show Empire told police he was the victim of an attack.
Smollett, a black and gay man, told police he was attacked by two assailants who shouted insults, shouted Trump slogans, threw "chemicals" at him, and tied him around the neck while he was away late at night in Chicago.
He faces six charges, each related to a different case in which he was accused of lying to police. He was found guilty on five of the six charges, meaning the latter has yet to be proven in court.
The jury heard brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo say Smolet organized the attack himself and paid them $3,500 (£2,600) to carry it out during the trial.
Smolen said the check was for a diet and exercise plan from Abimbola, a friend and extra on Empire, a television drama about the hip-hop dynasty. When asked by his lawyer if he had paid the man for the alleged plot, Smolet replied, "Never."
He also testified that he and Abimbola had sex before the alleged attack. Special Prosecutor Dan Webb has repeatedly questioned the actor about the "fraud" attack. Smolet denies this every time.
"There was no deception on my part," he said. "Any question you ask about it will be rejected." In closing remarks, Webb said Smollett forced Chicago police to devote enormous resources to investigating the alleged crime.
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