Jussie Smollett convicted for orchestrating a hate crime hoax
- In January 2019, Jussie Smollett reported an alleged assault in Chicago, claiming it was racially and homophobically motivated.
- An investigation revealed that Smollett orchestrated the attack, leading to his conviction for felony disorderly conduct.
- Despite being convicted, Smollett maintains his innocence, and his conviction was overturned in 2024.
On January 29, 2019, in Chicago, Jussie Smollett, a former actor on the television show 'Empire,' reported an alleged racially and homophobically motivated attack. He stated that two individuals wearing Make America Great Again hats assaulted him, yelling slurs and pouring bleach on him, claiming it was 'MAGA country.' The incident received widespread media attention and was condemned by various public figures. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became apparent that Smollett had orchestrated the attack with the help of two brothers, whom he paid. In March 2019, he was indicted on 16 felony counts for filing false reports, which he denied, maintaining that he was a victim. Despite public support initially, evidence led to his conviction in late 2021 for five counts of felony disorderly conduct. He served six days of a 150-day sentence before being released, with his conviction later overturned in 2024. Smollett remains defiant, insisting he is innocent and continues to stand by his original account of the events.