JUSSIE SMOLLETT REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH CITY OF CHICAGO OVER HATE CRIME HOAX LAWSUIT

After years of back-and-forth, Jussie Smollett and the City of Chicago have officially settled the civil lawsuit tied to his 2019 fake hate crime report.

The former Empire star grabbed headlines in January 2019 after claiming he was attacked in Chicago by two men using racist and homophobic slurs. He also said they poured a chemical substance on him and tied a noose around his neck. The incident drew national support—until police later determined it was all staged.

Smollett was accused of paying two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, to carry out the hoax. Soon after, the city sued him for more than $130,000 to cover investigation costs. Smollett fired back with a countersuit, claiming defamation and arguing that he’d already been publicly punished.

In 2021, Smollett was found guilty on five felony counts for filing false police reports. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and over $120,000 in restitution. But in a major twist, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2024, ruling that he’d already completed a 2019 deal involving community service and a $10,000 bond forfeiture.

Now, Smollett and the city have agreed to settle the case once and for all. While the terms haven’t been publicly revealed, a court hearing is scheduled for May 29 to finalize the deal.

The saga—which sparked national debates around hate crimes, celebrity privilege, and media accountability—appears to be finally coming to an end.