Judge Orders Smollet Records Unsealed

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.

Affordability: The issue that boosted Trump and Republicans in 2024 deflated them in 2025

We’re Headed for a ‘Build, Baby, Build’ Energy Revolution in 2026

Murder in small-town America: The crimes that tore quiet communities apart in 2025

Texas father rescues kidnapped daughter by tracing her phone’s location, sheriff’s office says

2025 shockers: The biggest moments that rocked the campaign trail

They Got Her: FBI Caught Hillary Clinton Talking Donations with Foreign Felon on Tape

The True Story of St. Nicholas Is Much Better Than the Myths About Reindeer and the North Pole

Schumer Sinks to Lowest Approval Rating of All US Political Leaders

Most shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’

Crime lords turn Motor City into car-theft supermarket for Middle East buyers: ‘Somebody’s getting paid’

LeBron’s Friend and Head Coach Eviscerates His Team After Christmas Meltdown: ‘Don’t Care Enough to Be a Professional’

Leftist Celebrity Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson Gets Roasted After He Tries to Debunk Timeless Tale of Rudolph on Christmas Eve

Is Gavin Newsom’s social media strategy starting to get stale?

If You Live in One of These 19 States, Get Out for the Sake of Your Kids: They’re Suing HHS Over ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ Ban

Florida man allegedly steals 400 pounds of avocados to buy Christmas presents for children

“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.