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Actor 'staged gay hate crime bashing to boost career and raise salary'


An American television star has been arrested and charged after allegedly staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career, Chicago’s police say.

Jussie Smollett, who stars in the popular TV series Empire, also sent a letter that threatened him to the studio in Chicago where the show is filmed, Superintendent Eddie Johnson said.

Smollett, who plays a gay character on the show that follows a black family as they navigate the ups and downs of the recording industry, turned himself in Thursday to face accusations that he filed a false police report last month.

Empire actor Jussie Smollett is accused of staging a racist, anti-gay hate attack on himself as a publicity stunt. Source: AP
Empire actor Jussie Smollett is accused of staging a racist, anti-gay hate attack on himself as a publicity stunt. Source: AP

At the time, he told authorities he was attacked by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs and looped a rope around his neck, police said. He was expected to appear in court later in the day.

The actor “took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career,” Supt Johnson told reporters at a news conference.

“This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve,” he added.

The FBI has been investigating the letter. Johnson would not say whether Smollett could face additional charges for that.

The companies that make the drama series Empire, Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television, issued a statement Thursday saying that they were “evaluating the situation” and “considering our options.”

How Empire actor’s ‘hate crime’ claim came undone

In less than a month, Smollett went from being the seemingly sympathetic victim of a hate crime to being accused of fabricating the entire thing.

The 36-year-old was charged Wednesday with disorderly conduct – a charge that could bring up to three years in prison and force the actor to pay for the cost of the investigation into his report of a January 29 beating.

Smollett’s mugshot, released by the Chicago Police Department on February 21. RIGHT: Police released CCTV of the two ‘suspects’ after the alleged attack. Source: Chicago Police Department via AP
Smollett’s mugshot, released by the Chicago Police Department on February 21. RIGHT: Police released CCTV of the two ‘suspects’ after the alleged attack. Source: Chicago Police Department via AP

Police treated Smollett as a victim until two brothers they had taken into custody for questioning last week admitted to helping him stage the attack, Johnson said.

It was the brothers who also explained Smollett’s motive to detectives. Authorities have a cheque for A$5,000 that Smollett paid the brothers, he said.

Smollett said he was attacked as he was walking home from a downtown Subway sandwich shop. He said the masked men beat him, made derogatory comments and yelled “This is MAGA country” — an apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again” — before fleeing.

Police have said at least one of the brothers worked on Empire, and Smollett’s attorneys said one of the men is the actor’s personal trainer.

The brothers, who are not considered suspects, wore gloves during the staged attack and “punched him a little bit,” Johnson said. The scratches and bruising Smollett had on his face were “most likely self-inflicted,” he added.

Smollett pictured with his co-star Taraji P. Henson at an event in 2014. Source: AP
Smollett pictured with his co-star Taraji P. Henson at an event in 2014. Source: AP

The brothers, who were identified by their attorney as Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, were held for nearly 48 hours on suspicion of assaulting Smollett.

The two appeared before a grand jury on Wednesday to where they came clean, before Smollett was charged, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

Smollett has been active in LBGTQ issues, and initial reports of the assault drew outrage and support for him on social media, including from TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Senator Kamala Harris of California.

On Thursday, Trump tweeted to Smollett: “What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA.”