The Jussie Smollett case took another unforeseen twist this March when he pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts of felony charges that were brought up against him for lying to the police. Back in January Smollett reported that two men hung a noose around his neck, poured unknown chemicals on him and screamed MAGA country. Smollett stated it was a hate crime due to being an African American and openly gay.  From the start of the case, there was much skepticism towards Smollett’s report within the police and the public. Later two persons of interest were found and interrogated by the police, who claimed to have been paid by Smollett to make the attack. Smollett later turned himself in for faking the hate crime against himself.

  This March he was charged with 16 felony counts for lying to the police to which Smollett plead not guilty. In a surprising turn of events, Smollett had all charges against him dropped by the Cook County State’s Attorneys Office and his record wiped clean. As punishment, Smollett faced two days of community service. Now the City of Chicago is seeking restitution from Smollett for the sum of $13,000. They want the money to pay for the investigation that Smollett caused. There is much debate on if the charges being dropped against Smollett was fair and if he should face a more severe penalty. Time will tell if Smollett will continue in his role as a leading actor in Empire, or his role as a famous actor will end as he faces blowback from his actions.