Jussie Smollett has reportedly reached a settlement with the City of Chicago over the $130,000 civil lawsuit related to the infamous 2019 hate crime hoax, bringing an end to a years-long legal battle.
According to NBC News, both parties informed the court that a settlement had been reached, though more time is needed to finalize the documentation. The city’s lawsuit, filed in 2019, sought to recover funds spent on the extensive police investigation into Smollett’s false claims.
City Sued Smollett for Investigation Costs
The lawsuit accused Smollett of orchestrating the attack and demanded repayment for approximately $130,000 in overtime and investigative costs. Smollett had countersued, maintaining that he had not staged the assault and had not knowingly filed a false report.
Timeline of the Controversy
- January 2019: Smollett told Chicago police he was assaulted by two men yelling racist and homophobic slurs, claiming they were Trump supporters.
- February 2019: The Osundairo brothers, Ola and Abimbola, were arrested. Authorities later claimed Smollett paid them to stage the attack.
- March 2019: Smollett was indicted on suspicion of filing a false police report. Charges were controversially dropped by Cook County State Attorney Kimberly Foxx.
- February 2020: A special prosecutor reopened the case and charged Smollett with six counts of disorderly conduct.
- December 2021: Smollett was found guilty on five felony counts of making false reports to police.
- March 2022: He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months probation, and ordered to pay over $120,000 in restitution plus a $25,000 fine.
Settlement Marks End of Legal Saga
While the full details of the settlement remain sealed, both Smollett and the city acknowledged the agreement in court filings on Monday. The resolution closes a highly publicized chapter in Smollett’s career, which significantly impacted his role on the hit show Empire and stirred national debate about race, sexuality, and justice.
