Actor Jussie Smollett faked a hate crime earlier this year and was busted in his lie, getting charged with 16 felony counts. Things were looking bleak for the black gay liar, but today, out of the blue, all charges were inexplicably dropped. This is some seriously shady stuff that involves possible intervention from former fist lady Michelle Obama and has the Chicago police furious.
On January 29, Smollett claimed two men beat him up, poured bleach on him and tried to lynch him while saying “this is MAGA” country.” As it turns out, he staged the whole thing with a pair of brother whom he paid with a check to fake the hate crime. Eventually Smollett was charged with a variety of felonies related to the hoax.
At the time Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case for reason that weren’t disclosed but presumably involved conflicts of interest. And speaking of conflicts of interest, Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff contacted Foxx and said that Smollett’s family had concerns about the case against Jussie. No problem, Foxx un-recused herself today and dropped all the charges against him.
Fox News reports that the Chicago PD as well as Mayor Rahm Emanuel were not informed of this shady decision to drop charges and only learned about it when the public did. Naturally they were furious:
“Where is the accountability in the system? You cannot have – because of a person’s position – one set of rules applies to them and another set of rules apply to everyone else. Our officers did hard work day in and day out, countless hours working to unwind what actually happened that night. The city saw its reputation dragged through the mud,” said Emanuel. “[This case] sends a clear message that if you’re in a position of influence and power you’ll be treated one way and if you’re not you’ll be treated another way.”
Keep in mind that Emanuel is besties with the Obamas so, him calling out Michelle and her crew is huge.
Prosecutors and the police maintain that Smollett has not been exonerated by this and still believe he should answer the charges. If that’s even a possibility at this point is anyone’s guess. The police union is calling for a federal investigation into Foxx and her handling, or mishandling, of the case.
As if this wasn’t already crazy enough, First Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Joseph Magats tried to explain to CBS Chicago why these charges were dropped. Apparently Smollett did community service with Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH coalition and surrendered his $10,000 bond to the city. Wow, he literally bought his way out of 16 felony counts.
Magats also said that since faking a hate crime isn’t violent, he didn’t feel like prosecuting it.
“Based on all facts and circumstances of the case, and also keeping in mind resources and keeping in mind that the office’s number one priority is to combat violent crime and the drivers of violence, I decided to offer this disposition in the case,” said Magats.
I guess all non-violent crimes in Chicago will no longer be prosecuted. Either that or only when they are committed by people connected to the Obamas.
Magats is presenting this like it was a plea deal, which it was most certainly not. In plea deals, defendants generally plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence. Here all charges were dropped in exchange for cash.
Smollett, who is clearly a piece of shit, spoke to the media and basically did an end zone dance:
“I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain, I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of,” Smollett.
Just because influential people got a corrupt State’s Attorney to drop the charges doesn’t mean he didn’t fake the hate crime. Maybe this is one of those instances where he should just feel grateful and keep his mouth shut. Chances are the feds are going to investigate Foxx and maybe even Jussie. He could actually be in a lot more trouble, especially if he wants to gloat in the media.
