Jussie Smollett Indicted on 16 Counts of Felony

‘Empire’ actor, Jussie Smollett, has officially been indicted in the case that rocked the nation and divided his fellow cast members.

Smollett was charged with felony disorderly conduct last month after falsely claiming he was attacked in a racially charged and homophobic assault. After an investigation by the Chicago police returned evidence that  indicated Smollett himself was behind the attack, the case was sent to the Grand Jury.

After the arrest, Chicago Police Superintendent, Eddie T. Johnson, believed Smollett “took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.”

Smollett’s defense attorneys continue to deny the allegations against him and maintain his innocence, finding the indictment to be “prosecutorial overkill”.

Mark Geragos , who represents Smollett in his defense, stated, “This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie’s privacy in tampering with his medical records.”

An internal investigation was launched in order to recover the person(s) who may have leaked  investigation details to the press prior to Smollett’s arrest.