Jussie Smollett’s Conviction for Hate Crime Hoax Upheld by Court

On Friday, the Illinois Appellate Court declined to toss Jussie Smollett’s conviction on 2019 hate crime hoax charges related to his allegedly fabricated assault. The “Empire” actor claimed he was attacked by two men in ski masks who put a noose around his neck and shouted “This is MAGA country.” Subsequently, authorities found that Smollett orchestrated the assault himself and paid two brothers from the “Empire” set to stage the incident. In 2021, he was convicted on five felony counts and sentenced to 30 months of felony probation and 150 days in jail, as well as ordered to pay fines and restitution totaling over $120,000. However, he was later granted bail pending an appeal, citing an issue with the appointment of a special prosecutor and a failure to follow a non-prosecution agreement. Despite this, the Illinois Appellate Court voted 2-1 to uphold the conviction. Smollett has maintained his innocence throughout the case and his legal team has vowed to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.