Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett after he refuses to pay for police overtime

By Dan Whitcomb

 

Actor Jussie Smollett arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 14, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/Files

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett for the costs of police overtime spent investigating his claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, which prosecutors say were false, a city official said on Thursday.

 

The lawsuit was being prepared after Smollett, 36, refused a demand by the city for $130,000, said Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for the city's Department of Law.

 

"Mr. Smollett has refused to reimburse the City of Chicago for the cost of police overtime spent investigating his false police report on January 29, 2019, McCaffrey said. "The Law Department is now drafting a civil complaint that will be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook Country."

 

Smollett, who is black and gay, touched off a social media fire storm by telling police on Jan. 29 that two apparent supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him.

 

But the actor, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama “Empire,” was charged in February with staging the incident himself and filing a false police report.

 

Last week prosecutors dropped all charges against Smollett, infuriating police and outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

 

Prosecutors said they stood by the accusation but that an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome.

 

The case file was sealed by a Chicago judge, which critics suggested was evidence of a cover-up.

 

The actor's criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, could not be reached for comment.

 

On Monday, some 300 people, including off-duty Chicago police officers, took to the streets to protest, calling on Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to resign over her handling of the case.

 

Foxx, who recused herself from the case before charges were filed, citing conversations she had with one of his relatives, has defended her actions and those of her prosecutors.

 

Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of "Empire" this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime. Fox executives have not said if he will return should the show be renewed for another year.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-06

 Smollett  is wallowing in all the attention like a pig in mud 

Truly a dude that deserves to be sued

Does the Chicago Police Department (or any police department) send bills for or sue for reimbursement of investigatory costs to others who file false police reports? Do they publicize such actions as much as they are publicizing this case? I know police departments will charge the person(s) with a crime for filing a false report but will reimbursement also be pursued?

What he did was despicable, embarrassing and potentially very damaging to community relations. The fact that he has escaped charges is equally despicable, embarrassing and potentially very damaging to community relations! 

Pay the goddam bill, that's the least you can do!