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Prosecutors have dropped all charges against US actor Jussie Smollett for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack.
The Empire actor attended a court hearing in Chicago Tuesday, where a judge sealed the case.
Smollett, 36, pleaded not guilty this month to 16 counts of disorderly behavior for allegedly lied to the police.
The black and openly gay actor thanked his supporters in court after the hearing.
He said: "Since the first day, I am honest and consistent at all levels.
"I would not be my mother's son if I were able to a drop of what I am accused of."
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He added, "It was an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my life."
Mr Smollett promised to continue to "fight for the betterment of the lives of marginalized people all over the world".
The Cook County Attorney's Office stated in a statement: "After reviewing all the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett's voluntary service in the community and his agreement to relinquish his relationship with the city of Chicago, we believe that this result is a proper disposition and resolution appropriate to this case. "
But according to the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has not been informed of the decision to drop the charges.
According to the city newspaper, he learned of the existence of this surprise only during a graduation ceremony of the police academy.
A police department source told the Sun-Times that Superintendent Johnson was "furious" and that the case against Mr. Smollett was "rock solid".
Mr. Smollett voluntarily agreed to waive his $ 10,000 bond (£ 7,500), said his lawyer, noting that he had not agreed with the prosecutors to dismiss the accusations.
Smollett's lawyers, Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes, said in a statement that their client's file "has been erased".
"This is a victim who has been vilified and sentenced to appear as the author as a result of false inappropriate remarks addressed to the public, resulting in an inappropriate race for justice," said the lawyers.
"Jussie and many others have been hurt by these unfair and unjustified actions.The overall situation reminds us that" there should never be any attempt to prove a case in court ". public opinion."
Mr. Smollett testified that he was attacked in the early morning hours of January 29 in downtown Chicago, in front of a sandwich shop, by two masked men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs, poured him with bleach and put the rope around his neck.
He claimed that they had shouted: "This is Maga Country", referring to the slogan of President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign, and that at least one of the attackers was white.
But the Chicago police said Mr. Smollett paid $ 3,500 to his two brothers, all blacks, to stage the attack because he was "dissatisfied with his salary" in the TV show.
His lawyer told the court Tuesday that the check was about nutrition and physical training.
Ms. Holmes also claimed that the two brothers of Osundairo, who had apologized for "their involvement in this situation" earlier this month, were Mr. Smollett's badailants.
"We already know who attacked her," Holmes told reporters. "The two brothers said that they had attacked it."
She could not explain why the case "seemed to be out of control", but scandalized the Chicago police for not allowing the state to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.
"You must allow an investigation and allow the state to investigate an accusation before you go to the press," Holmes said.
The authorities also accused Smollett of having previously sent a homobadual letter to a Fox studio.
Last month, the US president criticized the actor on Twitter saying, "What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? # MAGA. "
Mr Smollett's family said Tuesday in a statement to the US media that the actor had been justified.
"Jussie is a son, a brother, a partner, a human rights defender and a true soul who would never be able to do what he was falsely accused of," according to their statement.
"He was the victim of an badault then falsely accused of being responsible for his own attack.This morning the truth prevailed and it was justified.
"All the charges have been dropped and his record is being erased." The painful incidents we witnessed over the past 7 weeks have been heartbreaking and at best unjust.
"While many were in a hurry to judge before hearing the truth, we are grateful that the truth about Jussie has been revealed.
"We look forward to bringing those responsible to justice, and we thank God and our village for staying with us during this difficult time."
Mr. Smollett plays the role of gay musician in the Empire drama series, which traces the ups and downs of a family hip-hop label.
The verified Twitter account of the Empire Writers team posted a celebratory tweet after Mr. Smollett's appearance in court.
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