Police slam US actor, say he staged racist attack to boost career

[CHICAGO] American TV actor was criminally charged on Thursday for allegedly masterminding an elaborate "publicity stunt" that sought to exploit the "pain and anger of racism" with a staged assault on the streets of Chicago.

It was the latest twist in a weeks-long saga that has seen 36-year-old Jussie Smollett, the gay, African-American actor who stars on Fox music industry drama "Empire," go from victim to suspect after he reported the purported assault late last month.

An incredulous Chicago police chief accused Smollett of first sending himself a fake threatening letter and then staging an attack to tap into Americans' anxieties over political and racial divisions, because he was allegedly "dissatisfied with his salary."

In a sign of the national attention the case has drawn, Donald Trump weighed in Thursday, taking issue with the fact Smollett claimed his assailants invoked the president's "Make America Great Again" slogan along with homophobic and racist slurs during the purported attack.

"'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson told an emotionally-charged news conference - during which he lashed out angrily at the actor for sullying the city's image.

"Smollett paid US$3,500 to stage this attack and drag Chicago's reputation through the mud in the process," he said. "This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn't earn and certainly didn't deserve."

Smollett turned himself in early Thursday morning, was arrested and charged with a felony count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, and was granted US$100,000 bond.

He had claimed that two masked men beat him late at night in downtown Chicago, poured bleach on him and tied a rope around his neck - but police grew suspicious of his account after they tried and failed to corroborate it.

Mr Trump took aim at Smollett for having tarnished his supporters, tweeting: "what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!?"

Meanwhile, Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television, which produce "Empire" and had stood by the actor, said "we understand the seriousness of this matter" and "are considering our options."

'AGGRESSIVE DEFENCE'

Grave-faced members of Smollett's family walked out of court without speaking to the crush of media.

Smollett's attorneys have promised to conduct their own investigation and mount "an aggressive defence."

"Like any other citizen, Mr Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked," attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson said in a statement released Wednesday night.

Authorities said the two men who staged the attack with Smollett were brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo, who have both previously worked on "Empire," and were acquaintances of the actor - one of whom allegedly provided him with drugs.

The brothers have cooperated with police since their arrest late last week and have not been charged with a crime.

"As more evidence such as text messages, phone records, social media records, bank records, surveillance video and the receipt from the purchase of the rope was obtained by investigators, this investigation shifted from a hate crime to disorderly conduct," prosecutor Risa Lanier told reporters.

Smollett allegedly first concocted a false threatening letter he had sent to himself - which is under a separate FBI investigation - and when that did not get enough attention, paid the brothers to have the assault staged.

Lanier detailed an elaborate plot that Smollett allegedly orchestrated with exacting detail - telling the brothers when and how to attack him, including pointing out a street camera he assumed would capture the event, but was in fact pointing in a different direction.

The allegations were backed by a mountain of evidence, including a cashed check that Smollett wrote to pay for the stunt, authorities said.

RUSH TO JUDGMENT

Initial news of Smollett's claims led to widespread condemnation and shock, and an outpouring of support from celebrities and politicians alike, including Democratic 2020 presidential candidates Cory Booker and Kamala Harris who denounced "an attempted modern-day lynching."

Mr Trump initially described the alleged attack as "horrible."

Since then, Smollett's story has become a cautionary tale in an era where incomplete information is quickly spread via social media.

Opinion writers have complained about a rush to judgment, and politicians, celebrities and nonprofit groups have felt pressure to explain their initial reactions.

The president of the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign said the Smollett news was "both devastating and frustrating."

"I want to ask everyone feeling angry, hurt & disappointed to channel that into productive activism - because there are thousands targeted by hate violence each year who need our help," Chad Griffin tweeted.

AFP