In a statement released to PEOPLE, Smollett’s attorney, Mark Geragos, said that the “redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines” and accused law enforcement of “robbing” Smollett of his presumed innocence.
“The fact of an indictment was not unexpected. We knew that there is no way they would expose their evidence to a public airing and subject their witnesses to cross-examination,” Geragos said. “What is unexpected, however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts against Jussie.”
Earlier on Friday, theEmpirestar wascharged with 16 counts of disorderly conductfor allegedly making false reports, theAssociated Press,CNN,andCBS Chicagoreport.
Jussie Smollett.Stephen Lovekin/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
A representative for the Cook County State’s Attorney did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Smollett and his legal team previously said they are gearing up to launch an “aggressive defense,” according to his attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” Pugh and Henderson said in a statement given to PEOPLE on Wednesday. “Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”
Jussie Smollett.Chicago Police Department/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Smollett, who was given the presumption of being a victim until the latter stages of the investigation, was the third person arrested in the case.
Jussie Smollett.Kamil Krzaczynski/AP/Shutterstock
After posting bond and being released from jail last month,Smollett returned to the Chicago set ofEmpire, the Fox drama in which he stars as main character Jamal Lyon.
At the February hearing, text messages between Smollett and the Osundairo brothers detailed how the 45-second attack was to be allegedly orchestrated were read in court.
If Smollett is found guilty, falsifying a police report is a Class 4 felony which carries a potential sentence of up to three years in prison.
Fox did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Smollett is scheduled to be arraigned on March 14.
source: people.com
