Actor Jussie Smollett has reached a final resolution in his lengthy legal confrontation with the City of Chicago, with all cases against him being dismissed with prejudice. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall signed off on the agreement, effectively closing the chapter on a complex legal saga that began in 2019 when Smollett reported a hate crime.
The resolution includes Smollett making substantial donations to two Chicago-based nonprofit organizations. He contributed $50,000 to the Building Better Futures Center for the Arts, which focuses on youth creativity and artistic development, and an additional $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, which supports communities healing from police violence.
Dr. Pamela Blackman, CEO of the Building Better Futures Center for the Arts, expressed gratitude for the donation, describing it as an investment in youth education, career training, and mentorship. Aislinn Pulley, executive director of the Chicago Torture Justice Center, similarly praised Smollett's contribution as meaningful and impactful.
Initially, the City of Chicago had sued Smollett for $130,000 related to investigation costs, but the settlement resulted in zero payment from Smollett. The dismissal comes after previous criminal charges were dropped and an Illinois Supreme Court decision that unanimously overturned earlier proceedings.
Smollett's representatives emphasized that he maintained his innocence throughout the legal process and was grateful to have had the resources to defend himself, recognizing that many individuals face pressure to accept plea deals due to financial constraints.
The conclusion of this case represents a significant moment for Smollett, who has consistently maintained his innocence and sought to clear his name. By redirecting the narrative toward community support through his donations, Smollett appears to be attempting to move forward constructively from this challenging period.
