Mayor, Top Cop Call Jussie Smollett Case 'Whitewash Of Justice'
CHICAGO — All charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped at a court hearing Tuesday morning, and Chicago’s mayor and police superintendent held a press conference to address the decision.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said they were furious with the outcome, and called it a “whitewash of justice.”
Emanuel said the case “sends a clear message that if you’re in a position of influence and power you’ll be treated one way and if you’re not you’ll be treated another way.”
“The city saw its reputation dragged through the mud,” the mayor said. “It’s not just the officers’ work, but the work of the grand jury that made a decision based on only a sliver of the evidence. Because of the judge’s decision, none of that evidence will ever be made public.”
Johnson said that Smollett chose to “hide behind secrecy and a brokered deal to circumvent the judicial system.”
“Prosecutors have their discretion of course, we still have to work with the state’s attorney’s office, we’ll have conversations after this,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day it was Smollett who committed this hoax.”
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Following Smollett’s hearing, the actor’s attorneys, Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes, released a statement announcing that his record will be expunged.
“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him,” the statement read.
“Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.
“Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion,” the statement continued. “That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.”
Glandian and Brown Holmes said Smollett is “relieved to have the situation behind him” and will now focus on “his family, friends and career.”
Smollett pleaded not guilty earlier this month to charges accusing him of staging a racist, homophobic attack on himself. He was indicted on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct.
In a statement, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office said the expungement was an “appropriate resolution.”
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’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.”
Smollett, who is gay and biracial, claimed he was attacked in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood Jan. 29 by men who yelled homophobic and racial slurs at him. Smollett said they doused him with a chemical and put a noose around his neck. The actor also claimed that, during the attack, the men called out, “This is MAGA country,” a reference to President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.
Johnson said Smollett paid two brothers $3,500 to stage the attack, with a promise of $500 after it. Smollett has denied that charge, and at a press conference after his court appearance Tuesday, Smollett said he’s been “truthful and consistent on every level since day one.”
“I want to thank my family, friends, the incredible people of Chicago … who have prayed for me, who have supported me. … I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain,” the actor said. “This has been an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my entire life.”
Johnson said he was not notified that Smollett’s charges were dropped, and found out when the general public did.
“From top to bottom,” Emanuel said, “this is not on the level.”
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