A judge in Chicago ordered that “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s criminal records be unsealed after news organizations went to court to get them last week.
The records involving the 36-year-old actor had been sealed back in March shortly after charges against him were dropped by prosecutors, according to ABC7 Chicago on Thursday.
He was arrested and faced multiple felony charges for allegedly faking a hate crime that involved racist and homophobic slurs against himself in January.
Media attorney Natalie Spears argued that there was no point in keeping the records sealed anymore.
Dem rising star who called Trump ‘con man’ spent over $120k on luxury hotels, transportation and security
Targeted for their faith overseas, persecuted Christians get a White House welcome under Trump
Graphic Video: LA Rioters Leave Female Journalist on the Concrete and Anti-ICE Mobs Go After 2 Other Female Journalists in Sanctuary City Nightmare
Trump Gives the Guthrie Family Everything He Can as Search Continues: ‘We Are Deploying All Resources’
The legal case for and against nationalizing elections
Illinois bar owner killed in ‘execution-style’ shooting, suspect with decades-long criminal record in custody
Pennsylvania hospital blaze forces patients to be evacuated
American Medical Assoc. Retreats on Trans Surgery for Kids After Years of Embracing Mutilation – 5 Days After $2 Million Judgment Against 2 Docs
Dem leaders share list of 10 demands for ICE reforms with GOP
Trump calls family of Staff Sgt Ollis to confirm Medal of Honor award
Watch: Perfect Troll vs Lamest Response – Scott Bessent Nails Dem in Heated Exchange, Then Dem Gives Literally the Lamest Response Possible
Trump returns to National Prayer Breakfast as faith takes center stage in second term
Republican who said Sen Cassidy ‘sucks,’ gets Trump endorsement after ditching Senate bid for House run
Teachers union leaders spent thousands at swanky resorts
Bodycam shows NYPD officer shooting man with knife as Mamdani calls for no criminal charges
“There is no way to secrete the fact of Jussie Smollett’s arrest. At this point it is widely and publicly known from here to Helsinki and back,” Spears shared, per the Chicago Tribune. “No potential employer, let alone anyone with a pulse, does not know about Jussie Smollett’s arrest at this point.”
Meanwhile, one of Smollett’s attorney, Brian Watson, argued that the actor had a right to privacy afforded to other people.
“The root of this problem is not Mr. Smollett,” Watson shared. “The root of this problem is that the media, Mrs. Spears’ clients, created publicity, and now her clients want to use that against someone who wants to get their rights back.”
As previously reported, the actor initially claimed he was attacked on the streets of his home in Chicago by two men who he said threw a rope around his neck and poured a bleach-like substance on him. They also reportedly yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him.
Dem rising star who called Trump ‘con man’ spent over $120k on luxury hotels, transportation and security
Targeted for their faith overseas, persecuted Christians get a White House welcome under Trump
Graphic Video: LA Rioters Leave Female Journalist on the Concrete and Anti-ICE Mobs Go After 2 Other Female Journalists in Sanctuary City Nightmare
Trump Gives the Guthrie Family Everything He Can as Search Continues: ‘We Are Deploying All Resources’
The legal case for and against nationalizing elections
Illinois bar owner killed in ‘execution-style’ shooting, suspect with decades-long criminal record in custody
Pennsylvania hospital blaze forces patients to be evacuated
American Medical Assoc. Retreats on Trans Surgery for Kids After Years of Embracing Mutilation – 5 Days After $2 Million Judgment Against 2 Docs
Dem leaders share list of 10 demands for ICE reforms with GOP
Trump calls family of Staff Sgt Ollis to confirm Medal of Honor award
Watch: Perfect Troll vs Lamest Response – Scott Bessent Nails Dem in Heated Exchange, Then Dem Gives Literally the Lamest Response Possible
Trump returns to National Prayer Breakfast as faith takes center stage in second term
Republican who said Sen Cassidy ‘sucks,’ gets Trump endorsement after ditching Senate bid for House run
Teachers union leaders spent thousands at swanky resorts
Bodycam shows NYPD officer shooting man with knife as Mamdani calls for no criminal charges
However, by the end of the investigation police concluded the attack on the “Empire” star was a hoax. Soon after, he was arrested and faced 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for making a false police report.
Then all charges against him were suddenly dropped by the State Attorney’s office.
The records are expected to be unsealed Thursday.
