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.
Trump says US military eliminated ‘infamous’ Tren de Aragua leader in lethal strike
Federal judge rules she lacks authority to reinstate fired Yosemite ranger who flew trans pride flag
Op-Ed: Operation Epic Fury and the Lesser Evil
Young McDonald’s Worker in ICU After Co-Worker Doused Him in Boiling Oil, According to Horrified Mom
Spencer Pratt Begins ‘Phase 3’ of ‘Saving LA,’ Reveals He Has Recordings That Will Make Opponent ‘Resign in Shame’
Trump Threatens to ‘Take Back’ D.C. and ‘Run it on a Federal Basis’ as Mamdani-Style Socialist Leads Mayoral Race
Ohio police chief arrested in Florida after grand jury hands down 70-count child sex indictment
California Dems accused of putting sanctuary law over migrant child welfare checks: ‘Real children’
NBA Finals Return to San Antonio, Where Violent Mobs Won’t Rule the Streets Regardless of Who Wins
New UFO Files Reveal Officials Have Pinpointed Location from Which Glowing Orbs Are Originating
Trump’s name remains on Kennedy Center as appeals court weighs emergency request
Clinton judge indefinitely blocks Trump’s $1.776B anti-weaponization fund
Pratt concedes LA mayor race with scathing video teasing next move, bombshell info he holds: ‘Commie animals’
Obama judge rules on effort to block America 250 events at WH and Lincoln Memorial
EXCLUSIVE: ICE nabs multiple convicted killers in single day amid nationwide immigration sweep
“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.
Trump says US military eliminated ‘infamous’ Tren de Aragua leader in lethal strike
Federal judge rules she lacks authority to reinstate fired Yosemite ranger who flew trans pride flag
Op-Ed: Operation Epic Fury and the Lesser Evil
Young McDonald’s Worker in ICU After Co-Worker Doused Him in Boiling Oil, According to Horrified Mom
Spencer Pratt Begins ‘Phase 3’ of ‘Saving LA,’ Reveals He Has Recordings That Will Make Opponent ‘Resign in Shame’
Trump Threatens to ‘Take Back’ D.C. and ‘Run it on a Federal Basis’ as Mamdani-Style Socialist Leads Mayoral Race
Ohio police chief arrested in Florida after grand jury hands down 70-count child sex indictment
California Dems accused of putting sanctuary law over migrant child welfare checks: ‘Real children’
NBA Finals Return to San Antonio, Where Violent Mobs Won’t Rule the Streets Regardless of Who Wins
New UFO Files Reveal Officials Have Pinpointed Location from Which Glowing Orbs Are Originating
Trump’s name remains on Kennedy Center as appeals court weighs emergency request
Clinton judge indefinitely blocks Trump’s $1.776B anti-weaponization fund
Pratt concedes LA mayor race with scathing video teasing next move, bombshell info he holds: ‘Commie animals’
Obama judge rules on effort to block America 250 events at WH and Lincoln Memorial
EXCLUSIVE: ICE nabs multiple convicted killers in single day amid nationwide immigration sweep
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.
