The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in 2019 and lying to Chicago police.
Smollett claimed that two men in ski masks attacked him, shouting that he was in “MAGA Country” and attempting to put a rope around his neck.
Driving the news: An investigation revealed that Smollett paid two brothers from his work on “Empire” to stage the attack, providing them with $3,500 and instructing them on what slurs to shout.
The big picture: Smollett’s conviction in 2021 on five counts of disorderly conduct was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court.
- Despite being sentenced to 150 days in jail, Smollett was released after six days pending an appeal for 30 months of probation and a $130,000 restitution payment.
- Smollett continues to maintain his innocence and his attorneys argue that he was victimized by a racist and politicized justice system.
- The overturning of the conviction came after arguments were presented in September regarding the intervention of a special prosecutor in the case, following the initial dropping of charges by the Cook County state’s attorney.
