Jussie Smollett called the hoax attack a "publicity stunt … to promote his career": Police

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Jussie Smollett called the hoax attack a "publicity stunt … to promote his career": Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com"data-reactid =" 15 ">Jussie Smollett called the hoax attack "a publicity stunt … to promote his career": the police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson , shortbread Jussie Smollett at an emotional press conference Thursday in which he said that the alleged attack of a Smollett hoax was an "advertising operation … aimed at promoting his career". "Data-reactid =" 16 "> The Chicago Police Superintendent, Eddie T. Johnson, was struck down Jussie Smollett said Thursday in an emotionally charged press conference that the alleged attack of one Smollett's hoax was an "advertising campaign … to promote his career".

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" Jussie Smollett took advantage Johnson said, "I'm dropping the head asking" why? "Why would anyone use the symbolism of a noose, especially an African-American man, to make false accusations? … How an individual who was adopted by the city of Chicago can he turn around and slap everyone in the city with these false statements? "" Data-reactid = "17"> "Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," said Johnson . " I'm dropped to ask "why?" Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to launch false accusations? Can anyone who has been adopted by the city of Chicago turn around and slap everyone in the city with these false statements? "

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Johnson accused Smollett, an actor of the hit show & # 39; Empire & # 39; who has constantly refused any role in the staging of the alleged attack, the orchestration because he was "dissatisfied with his salary". "data-reactid =" 18 "> Johnson has accused Smollett, an actor in the hit series" Empire "who has always denied playing a role in the staging of the film, alleged attack, orchestrated it because he was "dissatisfied with his salary".

In addition to staging the attack, officials said, Smollett also sent a hate-filled letter to Fox's studio where the hit series is being shot.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Smollett turned before 5:15 am local time, and made a statement to the police prior to his arrest. His lawyers, Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson, were not present at the time, but they issued a statement the night before. "data-reactid =" 20 "> Smollett went to 5:15 am local time and made a statement to the police before being placed in custody. His attorneys, Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson, were Were not present to published a statement the night before.

"Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, especially when there has been an investigation like this one in which truthful and false information has been disclosed to the public. In these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and mount an aggressive defense. "

The police added that Mr. Smollett had not made any statements to the police after having surrendered and that his lawyers had spoken with them on Wednesday night to discuss his surrender. Smollett wanted to go near midnight, but authorities suggest he come at 5 am to avoid spending the night in jail. Smollett arrived early Thursday morning accompanied by a lawyer and an entourage of five or six people.

Smollett was silent as he followed the booking and treatment movement.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "(MORE: How Jussie Smollett has tirelessly defended her story against a storm of skepticism)"data-reactid =" 24 "> (PLUS: how Jussie Smollett tirelessly defended his story against a storm of skepticism)

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Thursday late morning, the game against the actor began at the summit, with an angry tweet from the President of the United States. "data-reactid =" 25 "> Thursday, late morning, the reaction against the actor began at the top, with an angry tweet from the President of the United States.

"@JussieSmollett – What about MAGA and tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments !? #MAGA," said President Donald Trump in a tweet after the conference Press.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In an earlier version interview with ABC NewsSmollett was asked why he thought he was being targeted and he replied that he was a sharp critic of the Trump administration. "Data-reactid =" 27 "> In a previous interview with ABC News, Smollett was asked why he thought he was being targeted, and he replied that he was a strident critic of the" bad news ". Trump administration.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" I'm really very strong against 45, "he m said. referring to Trump, the 45th American president. "I really come out against his administration, and I do not speak the language." "Data-reactid =" 28 ">" I'm really really strong against 45, "he said, referring to Trump, the 45th President of the United States," I really come out against his administration, and I do not hold my tongue. "

At a press conference held Thursday late in the morning, law enforcement officials in Chicago said the Chicago police detectives had interrogated more than 100 people and examined dozens police cameras trying to shed light on Smollett's allegations.

Johnson, a well-known and popular Chicago-based police chief, seemed genuinely aggrieved by describing how, he said, Smollett took advantage of the pain of racism to advance his career.

"Why would anyone use the symbol of a noose" to reinforce his "public profile," Johnson wondered aloud.

"I'm offended by what happened and I'm angry," Johnson said. "This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago did not have and certainly did not deserve."

Johnson, who oversees one of the country's largest police services in one of the most violent cities in the country, seemed discouraged by all the attention paid to the Smollett affair.

"The prosecution in this phony attack has attracted national attention for weeks," Johnson told reporters at a news conference. "Celebrities, news commentators and even presidential candidates have weighed on something that has been choreographed by an actor."

"When you get the chance," he said with a mixture of derision and frustration, "shooting victims and their families, give them the same attention."

The story continues