American actor Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to 150 days in prison and a $120,000 fine for falsely reporting a racist and homophobic assault. A Chicago judge has ruled that after a jury found the actor guilty in December.
The prosecutor previously demanded a prison sentence and a fine of $130,000 (118,000 euros), which would have to be paid to the city of Chicago. According to the prosecutor, his indictment cost the city a lot of time and money. In addition, he emphasized that “real victims of hate crimes” are the victims of the false declaration.
The 39-year-old Smollett again denied during the hearing that he staged the attack. “I am innocent. I could have said a long time ago that I am guilty,” he shouted when he was led away from the room after the verdict.
The actor turned himself in to the police in January 2019. He said he had been assaulted by two men who made racist and homophobic remarks against him. That happened in front of a security camera.
The two men later confessed that they had received $3500 from Smollett to stage the abuse.
‘Lost everything’
Smollett’s attorney asked the judge to impose only community service. He said that Smollett has “lost almost everything”. The case cost Smollett his role in the TV series Empire. He previously said in court that he can no longer support himself financially.
Smollett’s 92-year-old grandmother has also spoken in court. She asked the judge not to impose a prison sentence. “If you do, send me with him, okay?” Smollett’s brother also argued against a prison sentence. “In my humble opinion, he is completely innocent.”
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