Actor Jussie Smollett staged a racist, homophobic attack in a bid to win sympathy and boost his career, according to Chicago police.
The Empire star, 36, was arrested on Thursday morning after being charged with felony disorderly conduct for making a false police report.
The actor told police he was attacked by two masked men who put a noose around his neck and yelled "This is MAGA country," in reference to Donald Trump's campaign slogan "Make America Great Again" as he was walking home from a sandwich shop in Chicago, in the early hours of January 29.
Smollett, who is black and gay, said they beat him, made racist and homophobic comments and poured some unknown chemical substance on him before fleeing.
Empire actor Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail after posting bond on February 21, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)Took advantage
But in a press conference on Thursday, Eddie Johnson, Chicago's police superintendent, accused the star of "dragging Chicago through the mud" and "staging a hate crime".
Johnson said: "Empire actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career. The stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was dissatisfied with his salary.
"I'm left hanging my head asking why? Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false allegations. I'm offended by what's happened. and I'm also angry.
“This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve.”
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks during a press conference at Chicago police headquarters about the arrest of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett on February 21, 2019 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Doubts
Johnson said Smollett paid two men $3,500 to stage the attack, and the scratches and bruising Smollett had on his face after the incident were “most likely self-inflicted”.
He also accused the actor of sending a racist and homophobic threatening letter to himself at the Fox studio lot in Chicago, where Empire is filmed.
Doubts about Smollett’s attack started with reports that he had not fully cooperated with Chicago police after telling them he was set upon.
Police detectives in a city full of surveillance cameras were perplexed they could find no video of the attack.
Guards walk with Empire actor Jussie Smollett before he is released on bond from Cook County jail on February 21, 2019 in Chicago. Smollett has been accused with arranging a homophobic, racist attack against himself in an attempt to raise his profile. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)The investigation then shifted after they questioned two brothers – one of whom had a minor role in the same TV show – who were seen in the area that morning.
Smollett appeared in court on Thursday morning where his bail was set at $100,000 and he was asked to surrender his passport. He was released from the Cook County Jail after posting bond.
See More: Chicago Police, Empire, Jussie Smollett
