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.
Professor slammed for ‘despicable behavior’ with controverisal reposts on Charlie Kirk
Watchdogs: Child Predators May Exploit Popular Social Platform’s New Feature
Train attack video reignites fury over withheld footage of Austin Metcalf killing
Activists sound alarm on ‘deeply troubling’ poll showing support for Mamdani’s anti-Israel messaging
CNN’s Scott Jennings Lets Loose on Dems Over Charlie Kirk Killing: ‘That View Is Killing People’
Archaeologists Unearth Amazing Biblical Site in Jerusalem: It May Be the Site Where Christ Performed a Miracle
Charlie Kirk assassination suspect awaits charges as Utah residents describe alleged killer as ‘very quiet’
Erika Kirk Sends Powerful Message to ‘Evildoers’ Behind Assassination: ‘You Have No Idea What You… Unleashed’
White House closes week mourning Charlie Kirk, remembering 9/11 terrorist attacks in NY
Kash Patel’s false start on Charlie Kirk killer draws scrutiny, but FBI nabbed suspect in the end
Following Kirk’s assassination, lawmakers react to lethal political climate: ‘Violent words precede violent actions’
Why China wants to build a nature reserve in the South China Sea
California legislature passes bill prohibiting law enforcement from wearing face masks to shield identities
Utah students lift voices in prayer at vigil for Charlie Kirk’s Christian legacy: ‘Felt called by God’
Connecticut GOP accuses Democratic school board chairman of celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder
“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.
Professor slammed for ‘despicable behavior’ with controverisal reposts on Charlie Kirk
Watchdogs: Child Predators May Exploit Popular Social Platform’s New Feature
Train attack video reignites fury over withheld footage of Austin Metcalf killing
Activists sound alarm on ‘deeply troubling’ poll showing support for Mamdani’s anti-Israel messaging
CNN’s Scott Jennings Lets Loose on Dems Over Charlie Kirk Killing: ‘That View Is Killing People’
Archaeologists Unearth Amazing Biblical Site in Jerusalem: It May Be the Site Where Christ Performed a Miracle
Charlie Kirk assassination suspect awaits charges as Utah residents describe alleged killer as ‘very quiet’
Erika Kirk Sends Powerful Message to ‘Evildoers’ Behind Assassination: ‘You Have No Idea What You… Unleashed’
White House closes week mourning Charlie Kirk, remembering 9/11 terrorist attacks in NY
Kash Patel’s false start on Charlie Kirk killer draws scrutiny, but FBI nabbed suspect in the end
Following Kirk’s assassination, lawmakers react to lethal political climate: ‘Violent words precede violent actions’
Why China wants to build a nature reserve in the South China Sea
California legislature passes bill prohibiting law enforcement from wearing face masks to shield identities
Utah students lift voices in prayer at vigil for Charlie Kirk’s Christian legacy: ‘Felt called by God’
Connecticut GOP accuses Democratic school board chairman of celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder
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.