According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Eddie Johnson was not briefed on the decision to drop the charges. He only learned of the surprise move while attending a police academy graduation ceremony on Tuesday, which he then gave his comment.
The Empire actor attended a court hearing in Chicago on Tuesday, where the judge sealed the case. Jussie pleaded not guilty this month to 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to the police. The actor thanked his supporters after the court hearing.
“I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I’ve been accused of.”
According to earlier reports, Jussie said he was attacked in the early hours on January 29 in downtown Chicago by two masked men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs, poured bleach on him and put a rope round his neck.
He claimed they shouted: “This is Maga country”, a reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan, and that at least one of the assailants was white.
But Chicago police said Smollett paid two brothers, both of whom are black, to stage the attack because he was “dissatisfied with his salary” on the Empire TV show.
