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American actor, Jussie Smollett has reached a deal with the City of Chicago, agreeing to donate $50,000 to a local nonprofit to settle a lawsuit after a six-year wait.
Smollett made global headlines in January 2019 when he claimed to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago
Police later said he staged it, and the city spent over $130,000 investigating the case. Smollett was originally charged with 16 felony counts but reached a deal to avoid jail by giving up a $10,000 bond and doing community service.
The former Empire star will give the money to BBF (Building Brighter Futures) Center for the Arts, a West Side organization that supports youth with arts programs, education, and career training.
In a statement, Smollett said the nonprofit was his choice and that he hopes something good can come out of the situation. “I’m comforted there will be at least one winner from this experience,” he wrote.
Pamela Blackman, head of BBF, called the donation a “remarkable gift” that will help support the next generation of Chicago’s young artists and leaders.