UPDATEx2: Jussie Smollett Charged With Felony Disorderly Conduct For False Police Report

UPDATE 2: In an addendum to the latest report, CNN reports that the crime Smollett has been charged with is a class four felony.

UPDATED: Jussie Smollett has now been charged with a crime in connection to the police report filed over his alleged attack. THR reports that the Cook County State’s Attorney confirmed that Smollett has been charged with federal disorderly conduct for filing a false report.

As noted earlier in this report, Chicgao police presented evidence to a grand jury earlier today. Disorderly conduct is a charge used when a person “Transmits or causes to be transmitted in any manner to any peace officer, public officer or public employee a report to the effect that an offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed, knowing at the time of the transmission that there is no reasonable ground for believing that the offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed; Transmits or causes to be transmitted a false report to any public safety agency without the reasonable grounds necessary to believe that transmitting the report is necessary for the safety and welfare of the public; or Calls the number ‘911’ for the purpose of making or transmitting a false alarm or complaint and reporting information when, at the time the call or transmission is made, the person knows there is no reasonable ground for making the call or transmission and further knows that the call or transmission could result in the emergency response of any public safety agency.”

Fox, 20th Century Fox Television and representatives for Smollett have declined to comment on the charges. Fox and 20th Century Fox TV said earlier today that Smollett is not being written out of Empire, stating, “Jussie Smollett continues to be a consummate professional on set and as we have previously stated, he is not being written out of the show.”

ORIGINAL: Jussie Smollett is officially considered a suspect in the investigation into his alleged assault at the hands of two men. As THR notes, Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi posted a statement to Twitter noting that the Empire star is classified as a suspect “for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony),” and evidence is being presented before a grand jury.

THR notes that Guglielmi would not confirm reports that subpoenas had been issued for Smollett’s phone and bank records, and said he wasn’t aware whether Smollett was attending the proceedings. Smollett’s lawyers did not reply to requests for comment.

The story has taken a serious turn over the past week, as Smollett’s initial claims of being attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs as well as “This is MAGA country” while attacking him fell under suspicion. Two men were arrested who turned out to be brothers who had worked on Empire, and who are reportedly cooperating with authorities.

Smollett’s lawyers have denied that he orchestrated the attack and said, “Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”

Case Update: Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury. pic.twitter.com/FhDcbBKsuU

— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 20, 2019