On Thursday (3.10) singer/actor Jussie Smollett was convicted of staging an attack on January 29, 2019 where he claimed two Donald Trump supporters put a noose around his neck, splashed him with bleach and hurled racist and homophobic slurs at the actor, who identifies as black and gay.
In addition to the five month prison sentence, the judge sentenced the singer/actor to 30 months of probation, and also ordered the accused to pay Chicago $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine.
Following Judge James Linn’s ruling Smollett blew up in the court and screamed: “I’m innocent!” “If I did this, then it means that I shoved my fist in the fears of black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBTQ community.” “Your honor, I respect you and I respect your decision, but I did not do this and I am not suicidal. If anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself, and you must all know that.”
Following Thursday’s verdict, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot slammed Jussie Smollett stating that the former “Empire” actor’s sentence for faking a hate crime should send a message to others who are interested in make false claims.
“The criminal conviction of Jussie Smollett by a jury of his peers and today’s sentencing should send a clear message to everyone in the City of Chicago that false claims and allegations will not be tolerated.” “The malicious and wholly fabricated claim made by Mr. Smollett resulted in over 1500 hours of police work that cost the City over $130,000 in police overtime,” “The City feels vindicated in today’s ruling that he is being held accountable and that we will appropriately receive restitution for his actions.”
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Ben P L