Jussie Smollett Arrested
Jussie Smollett was arrested this morning for allegedly faking his assault and allegedly paying off his personal trainer to help him set up a hate crime.
The Chicago Police held a press conference and detailed why they charged and arrested the “Empire” star.
Shortly after the arrest, CPD released his mugshot and revealed they are holding him until his bond hearing later today.
CPD Chief Eddie Johnson spoke rather passionately during the conference, expressing anger and frustration over the evidence discovered. He called the entire saga a “publicity stunt [Chicago] didn’t need.”
Check out Jussie’s mugshot below.
Did Jussie do this because he was dissatisfied with his “Empire” Contract?
Firstly, Chief Johnson says Jussie sent himself a false letter that “relied on racial, homophobic and political language” to gain attention.
When that failed to grasp the attention Jussie wanted, according to Chief Johnson, he hired his personal trainer and his brother, paying them $3500 to stage a hate crime. Jussie allegedly orchestrated this false attack, according to the Chief. The police Chief said he did all of this in protest of his Empire contract.
“Jussie did all of this because he is dissatisfied with his [Empire] salary.” Chicago Police Department Chief Johnson
Chief Johnson went on to say that this crime will not deter his police department from properly investigating other hate crimes and they solved other crimes, including murders in the process.
At this time, we have not heard from Jussie’s legal team regarding this arrest or recent evidence that the CPD made public.
Check out the press conference below.
UPDATE:
Cook County prosecutors ordered Jussie Smollett be held on a $100,000 bond. Once bail is posted by Jussie, he must give up his passport.
Prosecutors also allege his personal trainer supplied Smollett with the drug Molly for two years.
