Jussie Smollett alleged hoax dragged 'Chicago's reputation through the mud'

By

Days before Jussie Smollett told police he was the victim of a vicious racist and homophobic attack, the "Empire" star sent a cautious text to a friend, Cook County prosecutors say. "Might need your help on the low," he messaged Abimbola "Abel" Osundairo, Smollett's co-worker and alleged sometime ecstasy dealer. "You around to meet up and talk face to face?"

The text set in motion an elaborate hoax that had Chicago police working around the clock for three weeks - first to investigate an alleged hate crime, then to dismantle Smollett's phony story, authorities said Thursday as Smollett stood in court to face a felony charge of filing a false report.

Full Article

© 2026 Lawyer Herald All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Discussion
More Hot Issues
Guthrie

Nancy Guthrie Investigators Says More Than One Suspect May Be Involved in Kidnapping Case

Adobe Stock

McGrath Kavinoky Lawsuit Focuses on Whether Cedars-Sinai Failed to Act After Patients Reported Concerns About OB/GYN Dr. Barry J. Brock

William Phillips

Inside the Fight Against Workplace Harassment: William Phillips and the Power Problem

Standing Strong Against Immigration Scams

Standing Strong Against Immigration Scams