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.
What Do Jesus and the Bible Have to Say About Socialism?
Trump-backed incumbent ousted in House primary as GOP redistricting push set to reshape Tennessee
Trump’s Smithsonian clash exposes striking pattern among museum curators
Trump-backed incumbent loses primary after super PAC bankrolled by Dems meddled in race
Mamdani repeatedly sidesteps questions on reported plan to revive tax hikes on wealthy New Yorkers
Retired police chief helps subdue passenger after alleged midair outburst over alcohol cutoff
Squad-backed ‘Tennessee Three’ lawmaker wins House primary in newly redrawn district
Conservative firebrand who went viral with anti-CCP ad survives key primary
NYC church arson suspect allegedly plotted more attacks, had violent notes like ‘murder them’ and ‘rape him’
Old Trails Fire suspect allegedly confessed to setting 25 fires; judge doubles bail to $2M
Bodycam shows police K-9 leaping into action after suspected impaired driver refused to surrender
It’s Time to Let States Lead on Paid Family Leave
Primary showdown: Polls close in Tennessee as conservative firebrand eyes governor’s office
EXCLUSIVE: Michigan House speaker calls for answers over $300M taxpayer-funded Rx Kids program
Amazon Investigating After Footage of Delivery Driver Refusing to Take ‘Extra Two Steps’ Goes Viral
“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.
What Do Jesus and the Bible Have to Say About Socialism?
Trump-backed incumbent ousted in House primary as GOP redistricting push set to reshape Tennessee
Trump’s Smithsonian clash exposes striking pattern among museum curators
Trump-backed incumbent loses primary after super PAC bankrolled by Dems meddled in race
Mamdani repeatedly sidesteps questions on reported plan to revive tax hikes on wealthy New Yorkers
Retired police chief helps subdue passenger after alleged midair outburst over alcohol cutoff
Squad-backed ‘Tennessee Three’ lawmaker wins House primary in newly redrawn district
Conservative firebrand who went viral with anti-CCP ad survives key primary
NYC church arson suspect allegedly plotted more attacks, had violent notes like ‘murder them’ and ‘rape him’
Old Trails Fire suspect allegedly confessed to setting 25 fires; judge doubles bail to $2M
Bodycam shows police K-9 leaping into action after suspected impaired driver refused to surrender
It’s Time to Let States Lead on Paid Family Leave
Primary showdown: Polls close in Tennessee as conservative firebrand eyes governor’s office
EXCLUSIVE: Michigan House speaker calls for answers over $300M taxpayer-funded Rx Kids program
Amazon Investigating After Footage of Delivery Driver Refusing to Take ‘Extra Two Steps’ Goes Viral
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.









