Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty To 16 Felony Charges For Alleged Attack
March 14 2019, Published 3:16 p.m. ET
Empire actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to 16 felony charges for allegedly staging a hate attack, RadarOnline.com can report.
The 36-year-old actor reportedly entered Chicago court on March 14. This comes on the heels of the 16-count indictment a grand jury filed against him on March 8.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office previously confirmed to RadarOnline.com that Smollett was originally charged with one felony count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. The indictment, however, charged him with 16 counts of disorderly conduct.
As RadarOnline.com readers know, Smollett was hospitalized on January 29 after claiming he was attacked in a Chicago alley at 2 a.m. by two men.
The actor claimed the attack was of racist and homophobic nature. The two attackers were later identified as brothers Olabinjo “Ola” and Abimbola “Abel” Osundairo. One of the brothers reportedly worked on the set of Empire as an extra.
Chicago investigators working on the case accused Smollett of paying the brothers $3,500 to stage the attack.
Smollett is reportedly allowed to travel to Los Angeles and New York to meet with his lawyers as long as he notifies the court 48 hours in advance of his travel plans.
The television star was axed from the final two episodes of Empire just one day after he was arrested for a felony in February.
What do you think of Smollett’s not guilty plea? Sound off in the comments.
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