Smollett Reaches Civil Settlement With the City — And He’s Giving Back
Just a day after the city dropped the news about settling with Jussie Smollett over that 2019 civil lawsuit, the former Empire star said he’d be writing two checks to local charities.
On Thursday, the City of Chicago revealed it had struck a deal with Smollett, ending the long-standing lawsuit that demanded nearly $130,000. That amount covered the overtime racked up by police investigating Smollett’s headline-making report of a racist, homophobic attack.
As part of the settlement, Smollett will donate $50,000 to the Building Brighter Futures (BBF) Center for the Arts. “The City believes this settlement provides a fair, constructive, and conclusive resolution, allowing all the parties to close this six-year-old chapter and move forward,” the city’s Department of Law said in a statement.
Smollett Maintains Innocence: “They Have Received Neither”
In a heartfelt statement dropped Friday, Smollett held firm to his claims of innocence. “Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself,” he said. “This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear.”
Smollett explained that although he refused to pay the city directly, he agreed to make a charitable donation instead.
“Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family,” he shared. “Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support.”
He continued by acknowledging the privilege of being able to defend himself, something he says many people can’t afford to do. “Lastly, I’m grateful to have had the resources to defend myself. So many do not… In their honor, I am donating an additional $10,000.00 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center,” he said.
The Original Case: A Hate Crime That Rocked the Nation
This all stems back to January 2019 when Smollett, who identifies as Black and gay, told police he was the victim of a hate crime near his Streeterville apartment. He claimed two men attacked him, hurled slurs, threw bleach on him, and tied a noose around his neck during a brutal, freezing night.
The case blew up across media platforms — until investigators accused Smollett of making it all up. He was eventually charged with five counts of disorderly conduct after authorities determined he paid two brothers $3,500 to stage the attack.
Smollett was convicted in 2021. Yet even after being found guilty, the actor continued to proclaim his innocence and highlight the injustices within the legal system.
What’s Next For Jussie Smollett?
Now that the civil case is settled, Smollett says he’s focused on supporting communities and standing with people facing injustice. While he may never be able to fully repair his public image, this latest chapter shows he’s ready to move forward on his terms.
His donations — totaling $60,000 — signal an attempt to give back and do some healing. Whether the public forgives or forgets remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Jussie ain’t keeping quiet.