Jussie Smollett Looks to the Future After Reaching Settlement with Chicago City Officials

Jussie Smollett has shared his reflections after finalizing a settlement with the city of Chicago, effectively resolving issues surrounding his hate crime hoax incident. He expressed a desire to move forward and leave this chapter behind, albeit with a few pointed remarks.

In his statement, the “Empire” actor expressed, “My focus now is on progressing with my life. I will persist in pursuing my artistic passions, advocating for causes I am passionate about, and upholding my integrity and my family’s honor in the pursuit of truth.”

According to reports, Smollett agreed to a settlement in which he donated $50,000 to charity to resolve a civil lawsuit initiated by the city, aimed at recovering costs incurred from investigating his 2019 false hate crime allegations.

Jussie expressed his appreciation for having the means to defend himself, acknowledging that many individuals are not as fortunate when facing legal challenges.

As part of the settlement, Jussie also announced an additional donation of $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, an organization that assists communities recovering from violence associated with the Chicago Police Department.

He stated that this contribution is made in memory of individuals who are coerced into making false confessions or accepting deals for crimes they didn’t commit.

Jussie criticized Chicago officials, asserting they sought both his money and a confession for an act he did not commit, claiming that they have been denied both.

His initial donation of $50,000 was directed to the Building Better Futures Center for the Arts in Chicago, which aims to provide mental health services and training in the arts to underprivileged youth.