Despite 'substantial abuses of discretion and operational failures,' the dismissal of charges against Jussie Smollett by Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx and her staff did not rise to level of criminal wrongdoing, according to special prosecutor.
Chicago Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson blasted the 'Empire' star, saying that Smollett's alleged staging of a hoax attack was a "publicity stunt...to promote his career."
After an investigation, police determined that Smollett staged the attack, hiring two brothers to help pull it off. He was charged and indicted, but Foxx's office dropped all the charges in March, 2019. That prompted Webb's appointment last summer by a judge to investigate what happened. In this Feb. 24, 2020, file photo, former"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett arrives at court for his arraignment on renewed felony charges in Chicago.He also said that Foxx maintained contact with Smollett's sister, Jurnee Smollett, even after learning on Feb. 8 that he was a suspect, and"then made false statements to the media claiming she ceased all communications with Ms. Smollett as soon as she learned that Mr. Smollett was a suspect.
In this Feb. 22, 2019 file photo, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx speaks at a news conference, in Chicago. He was appointed last year by Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin to determine whether Smollett should be prosecuted again after Foxx's office dismissed the charges and investigate the CCSAO's handling of the case. Webb concluded that Smollet should.
Foxx acknowledged in her statement that lessons were learned following the fallout from her decision to drop the charges against Smollett.
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