Chicago Mayor Slams Prosecutors and Jussie Smollett Over Dropped Charges, Insists Smollett Filed False Report

Just hours after prosecutors dropped all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett for allegedly filing a false report, Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel condemned the decision and insisted that the “Empire” actor staged the alleged hate crime. 

In a press release, following Smollett’s own public statements, Emanuel called out prosecutor Joe Magats for the “whitewash of justice,” as he claimed the charges were only dropped because the actor is famous. 

“Without a doubt, this is a whitewash of justice and sends a clear message that if you are in a position of influence and power, you’ll be treated one way. It’s wrong,” Emanuel said. “Mr. Smollett is still saying that he is innocent, still running down the Chicago Police Department…how dare him. How dare him after everybody saw. Is there no decency in this man.” 

Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts for filing a false report by a grand jury, which, according to Emanuel, proved that the police weren’t the only people that thought Smollett was guilty. 

“This is not the superintendent’s word against his. The grand jury saw a sliver of the evidence and they came to a conclusion. 

Along with Emanuel, Chicago Police Department superintendent also slammed Smollett for asking for the case to be sealed. 

“So listen, I’m sure we all know what occurred this morning,” Eddie T. Johnson said. “My personal opinion is that you all know where I stand in this. Do I think justice was served? No. I think this city is still owed an apology.”

“If someone accused me of doing anything that would circumvent [my integrity], then I would want my day in court. Period. I’ve heard that they [Smollett legal team] wanted their day in court with TV cameras so America could know the truth. but no, they chose to hide behind secrecy and broker a deal to circumvent the judicial system. My job as a police officer is to investigate an incident, gather evidence, gather the facts and present them to the State’s Attorney. That’s what we did. I stand behind the detective’s investigation.”

Meanwhile, Magats, who dropped the charges, said the decision was based on priority. 

“We did not exonerate him. We work to prioritize violent crime and the drivers of violent crime,” he said. “Public safety is our number one priority. I don’t see Jussie Smollett as a threat to public safety.”

 

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A post shared by Baller Alert (@balleralert) on Mar 26, 2019 at 12:33pm PDT