CHICAGO- Actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation for lying about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in 2019.
Judge James Linn told Smollett “You’re just a charlatan pretending to be a victim of a hate crime,” as he was announcing the sentence.
The former “Empire” actor was found guilty by a jury in Dec. on five counts of felony disorderly conduct.
Smollett alleged that he was brutally attacked in Jan. of 2019 by two unknown white men who wore MAGA hats. The actor said the men punched, kicked him, used homophobic and racial slurs at him before putting a noose around his neck.
An investigation led to the arrests of two brothers who authorities said helped Smollett stage the fake attack in exchange for money.
Smollett was arrested Feb. 21, 2019 after investigators say he recruited the brothers to stage the attack.
The fake attack was staged so that the actor could gain more fame, authorities say.
Smollett walked out of court Thursday with his fist in the air, as he said “I am not suicidal. And I am innocent. I could have said that I was guilty a long time ago.”
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