"Empire" star, singer, and now suspect, Jussie Smollett is officially in custody and now facing felony charges for filing a false police report. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Chicago filed the charges yesterday. Investigators say Smollett hired two men to stage what he claimed was a racist, homophobic attack to get attention. Smollett is expected to appear in court today.
Smollett claimed that last month in Chicago he was beaten by two people who yelled slurs at him. However, recent reports suggest he staged that incident, allegedly paying two brothers to carry it out. The felony charge carries a possible sentence of up to three years in prison.
The lawyer for two brothers linked to the Smollett case is calling for the Empire actor to tell the truth. Gloria Schmidt made the request yesterday after her clients spent hours speaking with prosecutors and a grand jury.
Smollett has also been charged with disorderly conduct over claims he filed a false police report about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack last month in Chicago. Investigators have been looking into whether the actor paid the two brothers to stage the attack.
Breaking Thursday morning... A tweet from Chicago police indicating Smollett is in custody.
VIDEO: "Empire" Actress Taraji P. Henson Speaks Out About Jussie Smollett
Chicago Police are LIVE with a timeline of the investigations events...