Smollett's report: Attacked in "MAGA country" (Jan 2019)

On January 29, 2019, shortly before 2 a.m., actor Jussie Smollett arrived at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. With a rope around his neck and an unknown white liquid on his body, he told police a harrowing story: an assault by two men involving racist and homophobic slurs, bleach, and a chilling "This is MAGA country."

What initially appeared to be a brutal hate crime quickly evolved into a highly controversial case that shook Chicago and divided the American public.

Empire star's account: Attack near Subway in Streeterville

Jussie Smollett, known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the popular TV series *Empire*, claimed the assault occurred near a Subway restaurant in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood shortly after he left the establishment around 2:00 a.m. He also told police he was on the phone with his manager during the attack.

Investigation cracks: No video, Osundairo brothers emerge

However, the police investigation into the alleged hate crime quickly revealed serious inconsistencies. Surveillance cameras in the Streeterville area showed no sign of the assault, and Smollett's description of the perpetrators – two white men wearing MAGA hats – did not match those actually involved. It turned out to be the Nigerian-American brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, whom Jussie Smollett knew from the TV series *Empire*, where they had worked as extras.

Evidence: $3,500 check and brothers expose staged plan

Leads brought Chicago police to the Osundairo brothers, and during a search of their home, a $3,500 check issued by Jussie Smollett was found. Further surveillance footage showed the brothers purchasing the rope, gloves, and ski masks allegedly used in the attack – props they later testified Smollett himself had instructed them to buy. According to Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo's account, Jussie Smollett had meticulously planned the staged assault, including the racist and homophobic slurs, and had even asked them to carry it out near a surveillance camera to ensure the incident was recorded. This information increasingly indicated that Jussie Smollett had orchestrated a hoax and a false report.

Motive for deception: Threat letter with Tylenol on set

The plan was allegedly intended to amplify a previous threatening letter Jussie Smollett received on the set of *Empire* on January 22. The letter contained a drawing of a hanged man and a white powder that later turned out to be harmless Tylenol. Chicago police later came to suspect Smollett of sending this letter himself in an attempt to garner attention.

Charges dropped: Kim Foxx ends Smollett case (March 2019)

The investigation culminated on February 20, 2019, when Jussie Smollett was charged with multiple counts of filing a false police report in Chicago. However, the case took an unexpected and heavily criticized turn on March 26, when Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx abruptly dropped all charges. This occurred in exchange for Smollett paying $10,000 and performing 16 hours of community service. The decision sparked widespread outrage, and Chicago's then-mayor, Rahm Emanuel, called it a "whitewash of justice," reinforcing the perception of the case as a public scandal.

Case reopened: Dan Webb convicts Smollett (Dec 2021)

The intense controversy surrounding Kim Foxx's decision led to the appointment of a special prosecutor, Dan Webb. In February 2020, Webb reopened the case and filed new charges against Jussie Smollett. During the subsequent trial in December 2021, the Osundairo brothers provided detailed testimony on how Smollett had orchestrated the entire staged assault. Smollett's defense attempted to undermine the brothers' credibility, but the jury found him guilty on five out of six counts of filing a false report and disorderly conduct.

Sentence: 150 days jail, served six before appeal (March 2022)

In March 2022, Judge James Linn sentenced actor Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $145,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago for the costs incurred by the investigation into his false report. During the sentencing, an agitated Smollett shouted that he was not suicidal as he was led away. However, he served only six days before an appellate court suspended his jail sentence in this high-profile case.

Supreme Court overturns Smollett's conviction (Nov 2024)

After several years of legal battles, a decisive turn occurred. On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Smollett's rights had been violated when special prosecutor Dan Webb reopened the case after the original agreement with State's Attorney Kim Foxx had been reached and fulfilled by Smollett. The court emphasized that the state could not breach an agreement that Jussie Smollett had adhered to by paying and performing community service, and described the continued prosecution as "fundamentally unfair."

Civil aftermath: Chicago settles with Smollett (May 2025)

Parallel to the lengthy criminal case, the city of Chicago filed a civil lawsuit against Jussie Smollett in 2019. The purpose was to recover approximately $130,000 in overtime costs incurred by the police investigation of the false report. After six years of legal wrangling, the parties reached a settlement in May 2025, the details of which remained confidential. Jussie Smollett's lawyer described the settlement as the end of an "unjust persecution of an innocent man."

Ambitions: Smollett's career and Osundairo brothers

Behind the sensational headlines and numerous court hearings in this high-profile case lie stories of individuals with personal ambitions. Jussie Smollett, who has a Jewish mother and an African-American father, had previously spoken about the challenges of navigating his sexual identity in his TV career. The Osundairo brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo, children of Nigerian immigrants, had ambitions in fitness and boxing. While Jussie Smollett's acting career suffered severe damage as a result of the scandal, the brothers leveraged the case's media attention to promote their own projects.

Consequences: Hate crime debate, trust in justice system

The Jussie Smollett case has had profound consequences for public debate on hate crimes, racism, and homophobia. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights emphasize that false reports of hate crimes are extremely rare. Nevertheless, this particular case has been used by certain groups as an argument to cast doubt on the legitimacy of hate crime reports. Meanwhile, the Illinois Supreme Court's decision has raised concerns among legal experts, who fear it could undermine trust in agreements between prosecutors and defense attorneys in future legal proceedings.

Smollett case six years later: Culture war and deception

Six years after that cold January night in Chicago, the Jussie Smollett case stands as a complex symbol. It reflects a heated culture war over identity politics, a justice system grappling with intricate legal agreements, and above all, the story of an elaborate deception. This deception, apparently stemming from personal ambitions, resulted in a protracted scandal and left an indelible mark on public consciousness and the American justice system, particularly in Illinois.

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