Police Superintendent ‘Furious’ After Smollett's Charges Dropped
Superintendent was not informed about Smollett's charging being dropped,
© press
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is said to be outraged following the dropping of 16 felony counts against actor Jussie Smollett, who investigators said faked a racist hate crime against himself.
According to sources from CBS, reporter Charlie De Mar claimed that Johnson is “furious.”
“He had no heads up this was going to happen,” De Mar said.
“I can tell you that Chicago Police are furious over State Attorney Kim Foxx’s decision to drop all charges against Jussie Smollett,” added Rafer Weigel of Fox Chicago.
Officers told Rob Elgas of ABC Chicago that the Superintendent was not informed about Smollett's charging being dropped, instead of learning about it at scheduled police graduation at Navy Pier.
© press
But the Chicago Police Department is still yet to make a statement on the charges being dropped.
Johnson said that investigators concluded Smollett had organized a hate crime hoax and paid $3,500 to two Nigerian-American brothers to pose as Donald Trump supporters.
“This stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was dissatisfied with his salary,” he told reporters.
“Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career. I’m left hanging my head and asking why.”
The Cook County State Attorney’s Office said in a statement:
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution.”
I can tell you that @Chicago_Police are furious over SA Kim Foxx’s decision to drop all charges against #JussieSmollett
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) March 26, 2019
MORE: A spokesperson for the Cook County State's Attorney Office says there was no plea deal, but rather an "agreement," and that no community service will be required of Smollett. https://t.co/B2ahaJSxt3
— ABC News (@ABC) March 26, 2019
© press
Smollett posted a $10,000 bond.
The Smollet family's said in a statement:
“Our son and brother is an innocent man whose name and character has been unjustly smeared.”
“Jussie is a son, a brother, a partner, a champion for human rights, and a genuine soul who would never be capable of what he was falsely accused of. He was the victim of an assault and then falsely blamed for his own attack. This morning truth has prevailed, and he has been vindicated. All charges have been dismissed and his record expunged (cleared),” the family added.
Smollett’s attorney's statement said;
“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,” they said.
“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 judgment.”
Smollett’s defense attorney Mark Gergagos has said his client is the victim of a “media gangbang," claiming prosecutor has no evidence against him.
“I defy anybody to find any indictment anywhere where somebody has brought 16 counts for being a victim of a hate crime,” Gergagos said.
