In what has been a roller coaster case full of drama and unfolding events, Chicago prosecutors have dropped all 16 charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett for allegedly planning and staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself.
Smollett’s attorneys confirmed his exoneration on Tuesday via a statement.
“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement,” it read.
“Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. The entire situation is a reminder there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion.”
Though freed, authorities are still adamant Smollett lied and staged the entire incident with his alleged accomplices, brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo.
The Chicago mayor and police department registered their displeasure with the outcome of the case.
“Is there no decency in this man?” Mayor Rahm Emanuel asked reporters, according to CNN.
“A grand jury saw the evidence (and) realized this was a hoax — a hoax on the city, a hoax on hate crimes, a hoax on people of good values who actually were empathetic at first.
“And he used that empathy for only one reason … himself,” he added.
“This is without a doubt a whitewash of justice and sends a clear message that if you’re in a position of influence and power, you’ll get treated one way. Other people will be treated another way.”
Shortly after the charges were dropped, Smollett also issued a statement outside the court maintaining his innocence.
“I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I have been accused of,” he said.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my entire life. But I am a man of faith and I am a man that has knowledge of my history and I would not bring my family, our lives or the movement through a fire like this. I just wouldn’t.”
Smollett did 16 hours of community service and forfeited $10,000 out of the $100,000 bond he posted in exchange for the charges to be dropped, CNN reports.
