Empire star Jussie Smollett has been charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report.

On January 29, Smollett was hospitalised in Chicago after he was attacked by two men in what was allegedly a hate crime. Smollett has claimed that he was walking to his apartment when he was jumped. Two masked attackers hurled homophobic and racist slurs towards him. They then allegedly put a noose around Smollet’s neck, poured bleach over him and yelled “This is MAGA country”.

However, the credibility of Smollett’s account has been disputed by law enforcement. Police believe that Smollett may have staged the attack.

Yesterday, CBS Chicago released footage that showed two men— identified as brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo— purchasing ski masks, red hats and other items days before the attack took place. TMZ has reported that the brothers admitted to the jury that they were paid by Smollett to stage the attack.

It has been reported that on Wednesday, Cook Country Grand Jury handed down the indictment to Smollet. Chicago PD spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charges, sharing: Felony criminal charges have been approved by Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office against Jussie Smollett for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report. Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest.

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