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In a shocking announcement Tuesday morning, the Cook County Attorney's Office announced that it would not prosecute Jussie Smollett, who had previously been accused of having simulated an anti-black and anti-gay hate crime in Chicago to advertise his role in the televised drama "Empire".
Fox News learned that the judge had granted a nolle pros, which basically meant that the case had been filed and that he would no longer be prosecuted for the alleged crime.
The reason the court decided not to prosecute is unclear at the moment, but the former "Empire" star should make a statement after leaving the courthouse later today.
Smollett had previously pleaded "not guilty" under 16 counts of disorderly behavior stemming from the alleged incident in which he had claimed that two men had beaten him, had poured him with bleach and he had passed a rope around his neck before shouting: "This is MAGA country". Her lawyer, Tina Glandian, pleaded her case on behalf of Smollett just hours after Judge Steven Watkins was charged with the case. The next hearing was scheduled for April 17.
Smollett was, however, summoned to an emergency court hearing in which the judge ruled that the case against him would be closed.
President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Kevin Graham, wrote to the Department of Justice following reports that Cook County Lawyer Kim Foxx had asked the Superintendent police, Eddie Johnson, to let the FBI investigate Smollett's allegations. attacked by two masked men after the former chief of staff of former first lady, Michelle Obama, reportedly informed Foxx that the Smollett family had concerns about the investigation.
Smollett's lawyers, Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes, said in a statement that Smollett's file "has been erased".
A representative of Fox, who produces and broadcasts "Empire," said the studio and network had no immediate comment.
A spokeswoman for Cook County attorneys did not immediately respond to messages requesting comments.
History in development …
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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