March 26, 2019
In a shocking move today the Cook County State’s Attorneys office abruptly dropped all charges against “Empire” actor, Jussie Smollett. Smollett had been charged with 16 Felony counts after he filed false police reports claiming that he was a victim of an anti-gay, anti-black hate crime.
In late January Smollett reported that two white men wearing MAGA hats had beat him, doused him with bleach, put a noose around his neck, and screamed “this is MAGA country”. The story was ridiculous from start to finish. Smollett’s version of the story completely imploded when two black brothers from Nigeria came forward claiming that Smollett had hired them to be the “attackers”, and that Smollett orchestrated the entire incident. In addition to these two witnesses there was reportedly decisive evidence, including video footage proving Smollett’s guilt.
Incredibly the State Attorneys Office admitted that they did not drop the charges because they believed that Smollett was innocent. The First Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Magats stated that they stood behind the Chicago Police Department’s investigation, and agreed that Smollett was “not a victim of a hate crime’. He added , “we did not exonerate Mr. Smollett. The charges were dropped in return for Mr. Smollett’s agreement to do community service and forfeit his $10,000 bond to the City of Chicago.” Laughably, Smollett’s community service consisted of two days of volunteer work in Jesse Jackson’s office.
However, there is still some hope that Smollett will face consequences for his criminal act, which diverted significant resources, and could have ignited a race war in our country. As part of his scheme Smollett sent himself a death threat in the from of a letter through the mail. This is mail fraud. It’s not clear if Smollett will be charged with a federal crime
Since this announcement, some disturbing facts have come to light about Cook County State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx. It appears that Foxx actively worked to help Smollett. Days after Smollett filed his phony police report, Tina Tchen, former chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, contacted Foxx. In an email obtained by the Chicago Sun Times Tchen expressed the desire to speak with Foxx on “behalf of Jussie Smollett and family who I know. They have concerns about the investigation.” It is unclear why Tchen reached out to Foxx, but a few hours later Foxx exchanged texts with a member of Smollett’s family.
In an interview with the Sun Times Foxx claimed that the family member expressed concerns about the investigation being run by the CPD and wanted it moved to the FBI, due to concerns about leaked information. Foxx attempted to accommodate the family’s request, but was unsuccessful. The case remained with the CPD, until today, when Foxx’s office dismissed all of the charges against Smollett.
Due to the conversations with Tchen and Smollett’s family, in mid February Foxx recused herself, turning the case over to her top deputy, Joseph Magats. However, some have questioned if this was a real recusal, as Foxx’s deputy made the decision to drop the charges. Underlings that wish to stay employed do not defy the wishes of their boss. A full recusal by Foxx would have entailed a special prosecutor taking over the Smollett case.
Even the progressive mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, was incensed at this miscarriage of justice. At a press conference this afternoon standing shoulder-to shoulder with members of the Chicago police force Emanuel stated that “This is without a doubt the white-wash of justice.” He added that “you can not have, because of a person’s position, one set of rules apply to them and another set of rules apply to everybody else .” “From top to bottom, this is not on the level.”
Both Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson expressed anger and disbelief. Neither were consulted about the dismissal of the charges, and both only became aware they were dropped at the same time as the public.
In an unbelievable display of arrogance, after his court appearance speaking to reporters Smollett defiantly declared his innocence. The next time a social justice warrior decries “white privilege”- two words- “Jussie Smollett”
