Major Controversies Surrounding Jussie Smollett: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Jussie Smollett—discover key moments of controversy.

Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the television series *Empire* (2015-2019). He began his acting career as a child in 1991, debuting in *The Mighty Ducks* (1992). In January 2019, Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. However, he was later accused of staging the incident and filing a false police report. The case generated significant media attention and controversy, with varying legal outcomes, including charges being dropped and later reinstated.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2007: No Contest Plea to Misdemeanor Counts

In 2007, Jussie Smollett pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement, resulting from a DUI stop where he gave police a false name. He also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid driver's license and was sentenced to a fine and three years of probation.

January 2019: Smollett's Hate Crime Claim

In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be the victim of a hate crime, which police later determined was staged.

January 29, 2019: Reported Attack

On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett reported to police that he was physically attacked and subjected to racial and homophobic slurs outside his apartment building. He was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and released later that morning. Subsequent investigation revealed the attack was staged.

February 20, 2019: Charged with Filing False Police Report

On February 20, 2019, Jussie Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report.

March 26, 2019: Charges Dropped

On March 26, 2019, all charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped after he completed community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond.

April 12, 2019: City of Chicago Filed Lawsuit

On April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Jussie Smollett for $130,105.15 to cover the costs of overtime authorities spent investigating the hoax.

April 30, 2019: Character's Absence from Empire

On April 30, 2019, Fox Entertainment announced that despite Smollett's contract being extended for the sixth season of "Empire", there were no plans for his character to appear.

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June 2019: Foxx Requests Independent Inquiry

In June 2019, following allegations of favoritism, prosecutor Kim Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator into the Smollett case.

November 2019: Smollett Filed Countersuit

In November 2019, Jussie Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago, alleging he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm" and arguing he should not have to reimburse the city for the cost of the investigation.

February 11, 2020: Smollett Indicted Again

On February 11, 2020, after further investigation, Jussie Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct about making four false police reports.

June 12, 2020: Judge Rejected Double Jeopardy Claim

On June 12, 2020, a judge rejected Jussie Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of double jeopardy.

2020: Re-indictment by Special Prosecutor

In 2020, Jussie Smollett was re-indicted by a special prosecutor related to the hate crime incident.

November 2021: Trial Began

In November 2021, Jussie Smollett's trial began on charges related to making false police reports.

December 2021: Conviction on Five Counts

In December 2021, Jussie Smollett was convicted on five counts related to filing a false police report.

March 10, 2022: Sentenced to Jail and Probation

On March 10, 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail, two and a half years on probation, ordered to pay restitution to the city of Chicago of just over $120,000, and fined $25,000.

March 2022: Sentenced to Jail, then Release Ordered

In March 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to jail but was ordered to be released after six days.

March 16, 2022: Release Ordered Pending Appeal

On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered that Jussie Smollett be released from jail pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction.

March 1, 2023: Appeal of Sentence

On March 1, 2023, Jussie Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction.

December 1, 2023: Conviction Upheld

On December 1, 2023, the court upheld Jussie Smollett's conviction related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction.

2023: Sentence Upheld on Appeal

In 2023, Jussie Smollett's sentence was upheld on appeal in the hate crime hoax case.

November 21, 2024: Conviction Reversed by Illinois Supreme Court

On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction, holding that retrying him after he had paid $10,000 and served community service violated his constitutional due process rights.