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Watch: Chicago Police say Empire actor Jussie Smollett orchestrated attack

Posted at 6:44 AM, Feb 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-21 10:44:50-05

CHICAGO, Ill. – Empire actor Jussie Smollett is in custody and is expected to appear in Chicago court later Thursday, according to the city’s police department.

Jussie Smollett

On Wednesday, Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report claiming two men attacked him last month.

Anthony Guglielmi said charges were approved by the Cook County State’s Attorney Office and “Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest.”

Filing a false police report is disorderly conduct, according to Illinois code. A class 4 felony is punishable by one to three years, the code says.

On Thursday, Superintendent of Chicago Police Eddie Johnson said the “Empire actor took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.”

Johnson added what this means moving forward about hate crimes is concerning, saying hate crimes may now be met with skepticism. He also said Smollett was dissatisfy with his salary and allegedly orchestrated the attack.

Click here for our full coverage on the Jussie Smollett case