Smollett was best known for playing Jamal Lyon on ABC’s “Empire” until his arrest for allegedly making up a hate crime in order to gain notoriety. He is still caught up in a legal battle with Chicago, which is suing him for $130,000 to recover the cost of investigating what authorities are saying was a staged attack.
According to Smollett, the city has information on the case that they are refusing to hand over to him. In the legal documents, Smollett says, “As we see millions across the country rise up to the protest and expose police misconduct, the City, by its refusal to produce the requested documents, is choosing to actively resist a citizen’s lawful efforts to reveal dishonesty.”
Jussie, however, maintains his innocence saying the City and CPD have relentlessly pursued him even after the charges were dismissed. For both his criminal and civil case, he says the truth will be his defense.