Smollett case was closed weeks before being dismissed: report | TheHill - The Hill

The investigation into actor Jussie Smollett's claim that he was attacked by two men in Chicago who supposedly shouted racist and pro-Trump messages at him was closed weeks before police announced that no charges would be filed, according to documents.

CNN reported Friday that police were told by officials in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office just a week after the actor reported the attack that they could no longer investigate Smollett's claims.

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An assistant state attorney reportedly told police officials that Smollett would resolve the case by paying "Chicago $10K in restitution and doing community service."

Smollett's attorney Mark Geragos declined to comment on the news when contacted by CNN on Thursday.

Charges against the "Empire" actor were dropped in late March after an initial investigation into a reported hate crime against Smollett evolved into an investigation into whether the actor had lied to police about the incident and paid two brothers who worked with the show to stage the assault.

Smollett's case generated massive public nationwide attention due to the nature of his claims, which detailed a shocking attack apparently at the hands of President TrumpDonald John TrumpMexican president on Trump immigration tariffs: 'America First is a fallacy' Bennet warns against 'race to judgment' on Trump impeachment Grassley slams Trump tariffs on Mexico: 'A misuse of presidential tariff authority' MORE's supporters. The president has called Smollett's accusations "racist" in tweets criticizing the actor for his supposedly false accusations.

".@JussieSmollett - what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA" Trump tweeted in March days after the charges were dropped.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office said at the time that Smollett's decision to do community service and forfeit his bond to the city was a "just" outcome even as Smollett continued to maintain his side of the events publicly.

"After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’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," the office said in March. 

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https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/446291-smollett-case-was-closed-weeks-before-being-dismissed-report

2019-05-31 12:24:11Z
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