'Empire' Actor Jussie Smollett Staged Attack For Publicity: Cops

CHICAGO, IL — "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of smoldering racial tensions in Chicago with a false claim that he had been the victim of a racial and homophobic attack last month, Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said in a scathing news conference Thursday morning. The news conference was held ahead of Smollett's initial appearance on a felony charge stemming from the report.

Johnson said Smollett choreographed a "publicity sunt" because he was "dissatisfied with his salary." Smollett, who turned himself in early Thursday, is charged with with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. If convicted, the actor could receive a sentence ranging from probation to three years in prison.

“Now our city has problems, we know that,” Johnson said. “But to put that national spotlight for something that is both egregious and untrue is shameful."

The true motive of the report, "quite frankly pissed everybody off," Johnson said, adding that police resources were tied up for about three weeks to investigate Smollett's claim.

Smollett's attorneys said in a statement they "intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense."

"Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked," the attorneys said.

Johnson said Smollett hired two brothers, one of whom had previously acted on "Empire," to punch him early on the morning of Jan. 28 and also that Smollett "self-inflicted" cuts and scratches on his face. Smollett "probably new he needed somebody with bulk" to carry out the scheme, Johnson said.

The actor was released from custody Thursday afternoon after posting $100,000 bail. He left the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, where he was met by a gaggle of reporters and photographers.

About a week before Smollett reported he had been attacked, he sent a racist letter to the set of "Empire," Johnson said.

“I know how hard it’s been for our city and nation to come together,” said Johnson. “This announcement today recognizes that ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career. … How can an individual who’s been embraced by the city of Chicago turn around and slap everyone in the city in the face by making these false claims? Bogus police reports cause real harm.

“… I’m offended by what’s happened and I’m also angry. … This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve. To make things worse, the accusations within this phony attack received national attention for weeks.”

Following grand jury testimony Wednesday, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the class 4 felony charge.

Smollett had claimed he was walking in the 300 block of E. North Water Street at about 2 a.m. on Jan. 28 when two men wearing ski masks yelled homophobic and racial slurs and began beating him.

See Also: Jussie Smollett In Police Custody and Smollett Reactions Epitomize Polarized State Of US Politics

Smollett claimed the attackers doused him with a chemical, believed to be bleach, and wrapped a rope around his neck. The actor said the men called out "This is MAGA country" while attacking him — an assertion President Trump seized on in a tweet Thursday, calling it a "racist and dangerous" comment an insult to "tens of millions of people."

Nearly two weeks after reporting he was attacked, Smollett handed over redacted phone records in a PDF to police.

The two brothers who had been considered suspects have been released, and no charges have been filed against them. Following their release, Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a Tweet that "detectives have additional investigative work to complete."

According to a report by news station WBBM, sources claim Smollett paid men to attack him after the racist and threatening letter sent to the studio didn't draw a significant enough response. The letter is now in the FBI crime lab for analysis, news station WLS reported.

Other reports claimed the attack was staged because Smollett was being written off "Empire"; however, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment have denied the claim, according to a statement. The producers said the actor "remains a core player on this very successful series and we continue to stand behind him."

Celebrities such as Cardi B and Snoop Dogg have also been questioning Smollett on social media. In a livestream over the weekend, Cardi B said she's "really disappointed" in Smollett. Snoop Dogg posted a meme that showed Smollett on the run from police.

Other politicians and celebrities are quietly deleting the tweets of support they sent out right after Smollett reported he had been attacked.

Patch's Amber Fisher contributed to this report.