Jussie Smollett Loses Appeal of Hoax Conviction, as Court Upholds 150-Day Jail Sentence
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer An Illinois appeals court has upheld the conviction of Jussie Smollett, the former “Empire” star who orchestrated a hate crime against himself nearly five years ago.
Smollett was convicted in December 2021 on five felony charges of disorderly conduct and was later sentenced to 150 days in the Cook County jail.
The hoax — in which Smollett told Chicago police he was assaulted by two men who uttered homophobic and racist slurs, put a rope around his neck, and said he was in “MAGA country” — ignited a media frenzy as investigators concluded that Smollett had paid the men to carry out the attack.
Smollett was dropped from the final season of “Empire.” Despite the jury’s verdict, Smollett has maintained his innocence. As he was led away from court after his sentencing, he raised his fist and shouted, “I am not suicidal!” He was released after serving just six days as his defense team appealed the verdict.
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