Jussie Smollett

FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett listens as his sentence is read at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 10, 2022, in Chicago. The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, accepted an appeal of Smollett's disorderly conduct conviction for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019, then lying to Chicago police about it. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

Illinois Supreme Court to hear actor Jussie Smollett appeal of conviction for staging racist attack

The Illinois Supreme Court will hear an appeal of actor Jussie Smollett’s disorderly conduct conviction for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying to Chicago police.
 
FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett arrives at the BET Awards, June 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. Smollett has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene in his yearslong legal battle stemming from convictions that he staged a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lied about it to Chicago police. His petition filed Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, asks the state’s highest court to hear the case two months after an appeals court upheld his disorderly conduct convictions. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Jussie Smollett asks Illinois high court to hear appeal of convictions for lying about hate crime

 
FILE - Jussie Smollett arrives at the BET Awards, June 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. An appeals court on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, upheld the disorderly conduct convictions of Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police.(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentence

 
FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Cook County Jail, March 16, 2022, in Chicago. Smollett’s drawn out legal saga begins anew Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, when an Illinois appeals court will hear oral arguments that the former “Empire” actor’s convictions for staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police should be tossed. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Illinois appeals court hears arguments on Jussie Smollett request to toss convictions

 
FILE - Attorneys Mark Geragos, left, and Brian Kabateck speak to the media outside the United States Federal Court building in Los Angeles, July 30, 2004, after a judge approved a multimillion-dollar settlement in a lawsuit for unpaid life insurance benefits filed by descendants of Armenians killed in the Turkish Ottoman Empire. The State Bar of California said Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, that it is investigating Geragos and Kabateck in connection with the spending of money in the United States and France from the settlement. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Celebrity attorney Geragos subject of fraud probe

 

ShowBiz Minute: Smollett, Swift, Beyoncé

Illinois Supreme Court to hear actor Jussie Smollett appeal of conviction for staging racist attack; No police charges for Taylor Swift’s dad over paparazzi incident in Sydney; Beyoncé shares ‘Cowboy Carter’ track list ahead of album, mentions Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
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ShowBiz Minute: Barrymore, Smollett, Aerosmith

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FILE - Tina Glandian, attorney for actor Jussie Smollett, speaks at his sentencing hearing, Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago. A U.S. District Judge in Chicago ruled, Friday, March 18, 2022, that Glandian might have defamed the two Black brothers who testified that they participated in a fake racist and homophobic attack on the actor when she suggested they had been wearing "whiteface". (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool File)

Defamation suit by brothers in Smollett case can go forward

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge in Chicago has ruled that an attorney for Jussie Smollett might have defamed two Black brothers who testified that they participated in a fake racist and homophobic attack on the actor when she suggested they had been wearing “whitefac
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Cook County Jail Wednesday, March 16, 2022, after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be released pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Jussie Smollett is out of jail, but faces uncertain future

Jussie Smollett walked out of a Chicago jail after serving six days and walked into months, if not years, of uncertainty — from what’s next for his career to whether he’ll eventually be back behind bars.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Cook County Jail Wednesday, March 16, 2022, after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be released pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Jussie Smollett released from county jail during appeal

Jussie Smollett has been released from jail in Chicago after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be free pending the appeal of the Black and gay actor’s conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Cook County Jail Wednesday, March 16, 2022, after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be released pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Jussie Smollett released from county jail during appeal

Jussie Smollett has been released from jail in Chicago after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be free pending the appeal of the Black and gay actor’s conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett speaks to Judge James Linn after his sentence is read at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Chicago. Smollett maintained his innocence during his sentencing hearing Thursday after a judge sentenced the former “Empire” actor to 150 days in jail for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that he orchestrated himself. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail in fake attack

Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to 150 days in jail for lying to police in a racist and homophobic attack that he staged himself.
 
A jury convicted actor Jussie Smollett of five counts of disorderly conduct for staging a racist, anti-gay attack in Chicago and lying to police. (AP Graphic)

EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?

The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago culminated Thursday in his sentencing to 150 days in jail and being ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett listens as his grandmother Molly testifies at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Timeline of events since Jussie Smollett reported attack

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was sentenced Thursday to 150 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution and a fine for his conviction on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack more than three
 
FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse with unidentified siblings, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago, following a verdict in his trial. Smollett is returning to a Chicago courtroom Thursday, March 10, 2022, for sentencing with just two questions hanging over his head: Will he admit that he lied about a racist homophobic attack and will a judge send him to jail? (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Timeline of events since Jussie Smollett reported attack

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett will be sentenced Thursday for his conviction on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack more than three years ago.
 
A jury convicted actor Jussie Smollett of five counts of disorderly conduct for staging a racist, anti-gay attack in Chicago and lying to police. (AP Graphic)

EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?

The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago culminates Thursday in his sentencing.
 
FILE - Former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago, Monday Feb. 24, 2020. Smollett is returning to a Chicago courtroom Thursday, March 10, 2022 for sentencing with just two questions hanging over his head: Will he admit that he lied about a racist homophobic attack and will a judge send him to jail? (AP Photo/Matt Marton File)

Jussie Smollett to learn fate after staged attack conviction

Jussie Smollett is returning to a Chicago courtroom for sentencing with just two questions hanging over his head: Will he admit that he lied about a racist homophobic attack and will a judge send him to jail?
 
FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse with unidentified siblings, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago, following a verdict in his trial. Smollett, who was found guilty last month of lying to police about a hate crime that authorities said he staged, will return to court for sentencing on March 10, a judge announced on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Jussie Smollett to be sentenced March 10 for lying to police

Jussie Smollett, who was convicted last month for lying to police about a racist, homophobic attack that authorities said he staged, will return to court for sentencing March 10.
 
FILE- Incumbent Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx speaks Tuesday night, Nov. 3, 2020. A judge says a report detailing missteps and false statements made by prosecutors in the initial investigation of former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett should be made public. Smollett was convicted this month of lying to police in January 2019 about what he said was a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago. The report to be released Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, includes detailed findings by special prosecutor Dan Webb, who took over the case after Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx dropped charges against Smollett in March 2019. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

Report details ‘failure’ in handling of 1st Smollett case

CHICAGO (AP) — The initial handling of allegations that former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett had staged a fake attack in Chicago represented a “major failure of operations” by the local prosecutor’s office, according to a lawyer who was appointed to review the case.
 
FILE - In this courtroom sketch, actor Jussie Smollett stands with his legal team in a Leighton Criminal Courthouse courtroom on Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago, after a jury found him guilty on five of six charges he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself and lied to police about it. The lone Black juror on the panel that convicted Jussie Smollett of lying to police about what authorities say was a staged hate crime says he cannot get past how the actor put a noose around his neck when police were coming to interview him. (AP Photo/Cheryl Cook, File)

Black juror: Smollett’s reaction to noose makes no sense

The lone Black juror on the panel that convicted Jussie Smollett of lying to Chicago police about what authorities say was a staged hate crime says he cannot get past how the actor put a noose around his neck when officers were coming to interview him.
 
A model wears a creation as part of Dior Men's fashion collection presented in London, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

AP Week in Pictures: Global

Dec. 4-10, 2021

From actor Jussie Smollett leaving the Leighton Criminal Courthouse with his siblings following his conviction on five of six charges that he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it, to a man swimming in the ice cold water of the B
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, returns to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago. Smollett was convicted Thursday on five of six charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

After Jussie Smollett verdict, more court cases await

The jury’s guilty verdict that Jussie Smollett faked a racist and homophobic attack isn’t the end of legal proceedings for the former “Empire” actor or others.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse with unidentified siblings, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago, following a verdict in his trial. Smollett was convicted Thursday on five of six charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Jussie Smollett guilty verdict latest in polarizing case

Jussie Smollett’s conviction for lying to police has come nearly three years after his report of a horrifying hate crime quickly became part of a polarized political landscape.
 
A jury convicted actor Jussie Smollett of five counts of disorderly conduct for staging a racist, anti-gay attack in Chicago and lying to police. (AP Graphic)

EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?

The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago has culminated in a trial, which concluded with a jury convicting him on five counts of disorderly conduct.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett arrives with his mother Janet at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, day seven of his trial in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Timeline of events since Jussie Smollett reported attack

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was convicted on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, along with his mother Janet, second from left, returns to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago, after a jury reached a verdict in his trial. Smollett was convicted Thursday on five of six charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Jussie Smollett guilty verdict latest in polarizing case

Jussie Smollett’s conviction for lying to police has come nearly three years after his report of a horrifying hate crime quickly became part of a polarized political landscape.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, second from right, departs the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, with his mother, Janet, center, and unidentified siblings after Cook County Judge James Linn gave the case to the jury in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Jussie Smollett case in jurors’ hands at Chicago trial

A jury has completed deliberations for the day in the trial of actor Jussie Smollett on charges he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself and lied to Chicago police about it.
 
In this courtroom sketch, Special prosecutor Dan Webb, left, cross examines actor Jussie Smollett Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Cheryl Cook)

Defense rests after Jussie Smollett repeatedly denies ‘hoax’

Jussie Smollett has repeatedly denied he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself for publicity, telling a prosecutor that “there was no hoax on my part” and that two brothers who testified against him are “liars.”
 
FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives with family Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on day four of his trial in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Defense rests at Jussie Smollett’s trial

CHICAGO (AP) – Jussie Smollett on Tuesday repeatedly denied he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself for publicity, telling a prosecutor as the trial neared its end that “there was no hoax on my part” and that two brothers who testified against him are “liars.”
 
CORRECTS SPELLING OF NAME TO KAVANAGH NOT KAVANAUGH Public relations executive Anne Kavanagh, left, looks at attorney Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez, right, and her client, prosecution witness Abimbola Osundairo, as they walk by Opera soprano Lauren Michelle talking to reporters on behalf of actor Jussie Smollett Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in the Leighton Criminal Courthouse lobby in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

In and outside court, Smollett fights for reputation, career

As Jussie Smollett fights criminal charges that he lied to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist attack, his supporters are also working on a broader strategy: Ensuring the 39-year-old emerges from the scandal with his reputation and career intact, whatever the outcome of the
 
In this courtroom sketch, actor Jussie Smollett takes the stand in his own defense Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on day five of his trial in Chicago. (AP Photo/Cheryl Cook)

Jussie Smollett testifies at his trial: ‘There was no hoax’

Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has testified that claims he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself are “100% false.”
 
FILE - Actor Jussie Smollett arrives Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for day two of his trial in Chicago. After two brothers spent hours telling a jury how Smollett paid them to carry out a fake racist and anti-gay attack on himself, the big question when the trial resumes Monday, Dec. 6, is whether the actor will tell his side. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

EXPLAINER: Jussie Smollett’s turn to testify. Will he?

After two brothers spent hours telling a jury how Jussie Smollett paid them to carry out a fake racist and anti-gay attack on himself, the big question when the actor’s trial resumes is whether he will tell his side of the story.
 
Abimbola Osundairo, right, prays with his brother Olabinjo Osundairo, center, a bodyguard, left, and their attorney Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez, upon their arrival at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on day four of actor Jussie Smollett's trial Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

State rests case at Smollett trial after star witnesses

The state has rested its case to jurors at Jussie Smollett’s trial after key testimony from two brothers who said the actor plotted a racist and anti-gay attack on himself and paid them to carry it out.
 
Abimbola Osundairo, walks through the lobby of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse courtroom after a lunch break in the trial of actor Jussie Smollett Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Chicago. Osundairo is expected to testify in the trial of Smollett who is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Man testifies Smollett recruited him, brother to fake attack

A man who worked with Jussie Smollett says the former “Empire” actor recruited him and his brother to fake a homophobic and racist attack.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for day two of his trial in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Detective: Brothers detailed how Jussie Smollett staged hoax

A lead investigator of an alleged attack on Jussie Smollett says two brothers arrested for the reported crime recounted for Chicago police how the ex-“Empire” actor orchestrated the elaborate hoax.
 
Actor Jussie Smollett looks back at his mother as they arrive with other family members Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for jury selection at his trial in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Lawyer: Jussie Smollett ‘a real victim’ of attack in Chicago

Jussie Smollett’s defense attorney says he is a “real victim” of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago in January 2019.
 
FILE - In this March 26, 2019 file photo, actor Jussie Smollett gestures as he leaves Cook County Court after his charges were dropped in Chicago. Smollett faces new charges for reporting an attack that Chicago authorities contend was staged to garner publicity, according to media reports Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. The charges include disorderly conduct counts, according to the reports that cite unidentified sources. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

Key moments since Jussie Smollett reported Chicago attack

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett goes to trial Monday on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago.
 
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