CHICAGO — The Latest on legal battle between city of Chicago and Jussie Smollett (all times local):
4:15 p.m.
Chicago will continue in its efforts to recover the cost of the investigation into claims by former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack.
Chicago police say the alleged attack on Smollett was staged, and he was charged with making a false report. Prosecutors dropped the case in March.
Smollett’s attorneys this week claimed the actor’s $10,000 payment after the close of a criminal case should prevent Chicago from seeking reimbursement for a police investigation. On Tuesday, they filed a counterclaim against the city, accusing Chicago of malicious prosecution that caused humiliation and extreme distress.
Bill McCaffrey, the spokesman for Chicago’s law department, says the presiding judge has already ruled in the city’s favour and that officials “expect to be successful in defeating these counterclaims.”
___
9:05 a.m.
Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett says his $10,000 payment after the close of a criminal case should prevent Chicago from seeking reimbursement for a police investigation of his claim that he was a victim of a racist and homophobic attack.
Smollett’s attorneys filed a response Tuesday to Chicago’s lawsuit in federal court. They also filed a counterclaim against the city, saying Smollett was the victim of a malicious prosecution that caused humiliation and extreme distress.
Smollett told police he was beaten in January by two men who looped a noose around his neck. Chicago police said it was staged, and Smollett was charged with making a false report.
But prosecutors in March dropped the case. Smollett maintains his innocence but agreed to let authorities keep a $10,000 bail
The Associated Press
