Jussie Smollett, the actor embroiled in a civil lawsuit with the city of Chicago, has reached a settlement agreement regarding a 2019 incident that drew national attention. Included in the terms of the settlement, Smollett agreed to donate $50,000. This donation will be directed towards the Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, a Chicago nonprofit organization that uses arts and education-based programming to empower at-risk youth. This donation appears to be in return for the city dropping its lawsuit against him.
The case at hand was Smollett reporting a supposed attack upon him as being racially and politically motivated. The city of Chicago then sued him for the cost of the investigation, claiming he had set up the attack. They claim he staged the attack with the assistance of two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who he allegedly paid $3,500. The event became the center of controversy when police announced that Smollett was the one who’d sent himself a letter containing threats. He was disappointed because it wasn’t paid attention to.
In March 2019, Smollett forfeited a $10,000 bond following the incident. He accepted 16 hours of community service. The city then sued him personally for $130,000 to recoup the investigative costs into his case. In return, Smollett filed a counter lawsuit in November 2019 for malicious prosecution.
Although he did settle the civil case, Smollett has long insisted that he is innocent of the charges made against him. Further, every indication he gave that he was going to fight for his name to be cleared—his comments on the matter.
“Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself.” – Jussie Smollett
According to Smollett, the prevailing narrative of his case not only hurt his public persona but was downright defamatory. He stated, “This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear.” Second, he claimed that city officials wanted his money and a guilty plea for an offense he did not commit.
“These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear… They have received neither.” – Jussie Smollett
“Making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support.” He said he stood in solidarity with all who have been harmed and have had the burden to prove the violation of their lived experience.
The City’s Department of Law issued a press statement about the settlement, noting that it is in the best interest of everyone that all parties move forward.
“The City believes this settlement provides a fair, constructive, and conclusive resolution, allowing all the parties to close this six-year-old chapter and move forward.” – City’s Department of Law
