Celebrity attorney Geragos subject of fraud probe
September 27, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The State Bar of California said Tuesday it is again investigating Mark Geragos, one of California's best-known celebrity lawyers, and another prominent attorney over how money was spent from a multimillion-dollar insurance settlement related to the Armenian Genocide.
Defamation suit by brothers in Smollett case can go forward
March 18, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge in Chicago has ruled that an attorney for Jussie Smollett might have defamed two Black brothers who testified that they participated in a fake racist and homophobic attack on the actor when she suggested they had been wearing “whiteface.”
Jussie Smollett is out of jail, but faces uncertain future
March 17, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) —
Jussie Smollett walked out of a Chicago jail after serving six days and walked into months, if not years, of uncertainty — from what's next for his career as an actor and performer to whether he'll eventually be back behind bars.
Jussie Smollett released from county jail during appeal
March 17, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was released from jail following six nights behind bars after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be free pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
Jussie Smollett released from county jail during appeal
March 17, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was released from jail Wednesday following six nights behind bars after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be free pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
Jussie Smollett starts 150-day jail term in protected status
March 12, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett began a 150-day jail sentence for staging a hate crime against himself in protective custody, separated from other detainees and watched by security cameras and an officer, jail authorities said Friday.
Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail in fake attack
March 11, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge sentenced Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail Thursday, branding the Black and gay actor a narcissistic charlatan for staging a hate crime against himself to grab the limelight while the nation struggled with wrenching issues of racial injustice.
EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?
March 11, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The twists, turns and oddities of the legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago culminated Thursday with his sentencing.
Timeline of events since Jussie Smollett reported attack
March 11, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was sentenced Thursday to 150 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution and a fine for his conviction on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack more than three years ago.
Timeline of events since Jussie Smollett reported attack
March 9, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett will be sentenced Thursday for his conviction on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack more than three years ago.
EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?
March 9, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The twists, turns and oddities of the legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago will culminate Thursday with his sentencing. It follows a trial in December that concluded with a jury convicting Smollett on five counts of disorderly conduct.
Jussie Smollett to learn fate after staged attack conviction
March 9, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — More than three years after Jussie Smollett told police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack on a dark, cold Chicago street, all of the questions swirling around the actor — from whether he staged a fake attack to why he would do such a thing — now boil down to two: Will he admit he lied to police and will he be sent to prison?
Jussie Smollett to be sentenced March 10 for lying to police
January 27, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett, who was convicted last month for lying to police about a racist, homophobic attack that authorities said he staged, will return to court for sentencing March 10, a judge said Thursday.
Report details ‘failure’ in handling of 1st Smollett case
December 21, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The initial handling of allegations that former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett had staged a fake attack in Chicago represented a “major failure of operations" by the local prosecutor's office, according to a lawyer who was appointed to review the case.
Black juror: Smollett’s reaction to noose makes no sense
December 14, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The only Black juror on the panel that convicted Jussie Smollett of lying to Chicago police said he couldn't get past what the actor did not do after he claimed attackers looped a noose around his neck: Rip it off and keep it off.
After Jussie Smollett verdict, more court cases await
December 10, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A jury’s guilty verdict that Jussie Smollett faked a racist and homophobic attack isn’t the end of legal proceedings for the former “Empire” actor or others.
Jussie Smollett guilty verdict latest in polarizing case
December 10, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett’s conviction for lying to police about a racist, homophobic attack came nearly three years after his report of a horrifying hate crime quickly became part of a polarized political landscape, with people — including the president of the United States — weighing in from all over.
EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?
December 10, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The twists, turns and oddities of the legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago culminated in a weeklong trial, which concluded with a jury convicting Smollett on five counts of disorderly conduct.
Timeline of events since Jussie Smollett reported attack
December 10, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was convicted on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago.
Jussie Smollett guilty verdict latest in polarizing case
December 10, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett’s conviction Thursday for lying to police about a racist, homophobic attack came nearly three years after his report of a horrifying hate crime quickly became part of a polarized political landscape, with people — including the president of the United States — weighing in from all over.
Jussie Smollett case in jurors’ hands at Chicago trial
December 9, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday there is “overwhelming evidence” that Jussie Smollett lied to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist hate crime, while a defense attorney called the case a “house of cards” built on testimony from two liars.
Defense rests after Jussie Smollett repeatedly denies ‘hoax’
December 8, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett on Tuesday repeatedly denied he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself for publicity, telling a prosecutor as the trial neared its end that “there was no hoax on my part” and that two brothers who testified against him are “liars.”
Defense rests at Jussie Smollett’s trial
December 7, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) – Jussie Smollett on Tuesday repeatedly denied he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself for publicity, telling a prosecutor as the trial neared its end that “there was no hoax on my part” and that two brothers who testified against him are “liars.”
In and outside court, Smollett fights for reputation, career
December 7, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Outside the courtroom where former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is fighting charges accusing him of lying to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist attack, his publicist has introduced a roster of supporters to the assembled TV cameras.
Jussie Smollett testifies at his trial: ‘There was no hoax’
December 7, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett denied Monday that he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself, testifying at his trial that “there was no hoax" and that he was the victim of a hate crime in his downtown Chicago neighborhood.
EXPLAINER: Jussie Smollett’s turn to testify. Will he?
December 5, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — After two brothers spent hours telling a jury how Jussie Smollett paid them to carry out a fake racist and anti-gay attack on himself in downtown Chicago, the big question when the actor's trial resumes Monday will be whether or not he will tell his side of the story.
State rests case at Smollett trial after star witnesses
December 3, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The state rested its case at Jussie Smollett's trial Thursday after key testimony from two brothers who said the former “Empire" actor plotted a racist and anti-gay attack on himself in downtown Chicago and paid them to carry it out.
Man testifies Smollett recruited him, brother to fake attack
December 2, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — An aspiring actor testified Wednesday that Jussie Smollett recruited him and his brother to stage a homophobic and racist attack on him in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago, saying the former “Empire” star even instructed them on how to throw fake punches.
Detective: Brothers detailed how Jussie Smollett staged hoax
December 1, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Two brothers arrested for an alleged attack on Jussie Smollett recounted for Chicago police how the ex-“Empire” actor orchestrated the hoax, telling them via text message to meet him “on the low,” paying for supplies and holding a “dry run” in downtown Chicago, a lead investigator testified Tuesday.
Lawyer: Jussie Smollett ‘a real victim’ of attack in Chicago
November 30, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett “is a real victim” of a “real crime,” his attorney said as the ex-"Empire" actor's trial started Monday, rejecting prosecutors’ allegation that he staged a homophobic and racist attack in Chicago after the television studio where he worked didn’t take hate mail he had received seriously.
Key moments since Jussie Smollett reported Chicago attack
November 28, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett goes to trial Monday on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago.
Trial set to start on charges Smollett faked racist attack
November 28, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A popular actor steps out onto the street and is brutally reminded that, despite his fame and wealth, places still exist where the color of his skin and sexual orientation put him in danger.
Judge firms up trial date for Smollett, won’t dismiss case
October 15, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge on Friday denied a last-ditch effort to dismiss a criminal case against actor Jussie Smollett, who is accused of lying to police when he reported that he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago in January 2019.
Jussie Smollett attorneys cannot call prosecutor to testify
August 26, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett’s attorneys cannot call as a witness the Chicago prosecutor whose office dropped initial charges accusing the actor of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in 2019, a judge ruled Thursday.
Jussie Smollett lawyers get more time to prepare arguments
August 2, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge on Monday granted lawyers for Jussie Smollett more time to prepare arguments on several issues, including whether they can introduce a key witness’s previous conviction for battery.
Judge allows Jussie Smollett’s lawyer to stay on the case
July 30, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge on Friday said he would not kick one of Jussie Smollett's attorneys off the case even though he believes the attorney spoke to two men the actor allegedly hired to help him carry out a staged racist and homophobic attack.
Jussie Smollett back in court for hearing about his lawyer
July 15, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett returned to court Wednesday for the first time in a year for a five-hour hearing to determine whether one of the actor’s attorneys should be allowed to keep representing him in his case against accusations that he staged a racist and homophobic attack against himself.
Review cites ‘operational failures’ in Smollett prosecution
August 18, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A special prosecutor in Chicago accused Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and her office on Monday of repeatedly abusing their discretion and making false public statements in the case against actor Jussie Smollett last year, but he concluded they did nothing criminal...
Judge tosses Smollett’s malicious prosecution lawsuit
April 22, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed actor Jussie Smollett’s malicious prosecution lawsuit against the city of Chicago and several police officers...
Foxx touts record as Smollett case engulfs Illinois primary
March 12, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Chicago mom Rya Smith has no doubts about backing the top prosecutor in the nation's second-biggest county for another term, even while acknowledging the office fumbled a criminal case against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett...
Actor Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to restored charges
February 24, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty Monday to restored charges that accuse him of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself last year in Chicago and falsely reporting to police that the phony attack was real...
Jussie Smollett’s image takes new hit with revived charges
February 12, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — He's stopped posting to his Twitter account, his last Instagram post was eight months ago, and his acting and singing careers appear to be at a standstill...
Actor Jussie Smollett faces 6 new charges in Chicago
February 12, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Actor Jussie Smollett was indicted Tuesday for a second time on charges of lying to police about a racist and anti-gay attack he allegedly staged on himself in downtown Chicago, renewing a divisive criminal case that drew worldwide attention last year...
Judge orders Google to turn over Jussie Smollett’s emails
January 9, 2020 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge has ordered Google to turn over a year's worth of Jussie Smollett's emails, private messages, photographs and location data to a special prosecutor who is looking into why prosecutors abruptly dismissed criminal charges against the actor...
Jussie Smollett: Chicago prosecution was malicious
November 20, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is suing Chicago for malicious prosecution and says the city should not seek payment from him to cover the cost of the investigation into his claim that he was a victim of a racist and homophobic attack because it accepted his $10,000 bail “as payment in full...
Embattled Illinois prosecutor announces bid for reelection
November 19, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A prosecutor who came under harsh criticism when her office suddenly dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett and is now the subject of a court-ordered investigation announced Tuesday she is running for reelection...
Judge allows Chicago suit against Jussie Smollett to proceed
October 22, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday refused to dismiss Chicago's lawsuit against former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett...
Judge finds no bias from Jussie Smollett special prosecutor
October 5, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago judge said Friday he won't replace a special prosecutor looking into why the state's attorney's office abruptly dismissed charges against actor Jussie Smollett, rejecting concerns that campaign money could taint the findings...
Judge to weigh possible bias by Smollett special prosecutor
October 2, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago judge could decide this week whether the special prosecutor investigating possible conflicts of interest in Jussie Smollett’s criminal case has a conflict himself, the latest twist in a saga marked by turns and reversals since the “Empire” actor reported a racist, homophobic attack that police say he staged against himself...
Jussie Smollett case investigator donated to campaign for attorney who dropped charges; report
October 1, 2019 GMTThe special prosecutor assigned to investigate why State Attorney Kim Foxx dropped the fabrication case against actor Jussie Smollett has reportedly donated to Ms. Foxx's campaign.
Smollett case special prosecutor donated to Foxx’s campaign
October 1, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The special prosecutor appointed to look into why the state's attorney's office in Chicago abruptly dropped the case against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staging an attack on himself acknowledged Monday that he donated to the top prosecutor's campaign and that his law firm co-hosted a 2016 fundraiser for her...
Smollett’s attorneys argue city lawsuit should be tossed
September 4, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett's attorneys have filed a motion arguing that the actor should not have to pay Chicago $130,000 for a police investigation into what he claimed was a racist and homophobic attack, because he couldn't have known how much time and money the department would spend looking into his allegations...
PR firm: ‘Every iota’ of Smollett claim true; police differ
August 28, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett's PR team says "every iota" of his account of being the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in Chicago is supported by police evidence despite police repeatedly saying it was all staged...
Special prosecutor named to look into Jussie Smollett case
August 23, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge appointed a special prosecutor Friday to look into why the Chicago state's attorney's office abruptly dropped the case against Jussie Smollett, leaving open the possibility that the former "Empire" actor could yet face charges in what police say was a phony attack on himself that he staged to get attention...
Judge: Smollett special prosecutor will still be appointed
July 31, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge told Jussie Smollett's attorneys he's not changing his mind about appointing a special prosecutor in the case against the actor and that he won't let another judge replace him...
Police release more than 1,000 files from Smollett probe
June 25, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police on Monday released more than 1,000 files from the investigation into Jussie Smollett's claim he was attacked by two men, including video footage that for the first time shows the "Empire" actor with a thin, white rope wrapped around his neck that he told detectives was a noose...
Judge orders special prosecutor to examine Smollett probe
June 21, 2019 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A judge decided to appoint a special prosecutor Friday to investigate the decision by Cook County prosecutors to dismiss all charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of lying to the police by claiming he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago in January...