(Gray News) – Jussie Smollett was indicted by a grand jury on 16 felony recounts for allegedly staging a hate crime attack against himself, according to local Chicago media.
According to WBBM, the specific felony counts are on “false report of offense” charges.
Smollett reported to Chicago police in January that he had been attacked while out getting food one night by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him, including saying “This is MAGA country,” an allusion to President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.
Police allege that Smollett in fact paid two men to stage the attack against him, which included leaving a rope around his neck as a noose.
READ MORE: Cleveland19.com
Article Courtesy of WOIO Cleveland 19 News
First Picture Courtesy of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show
Second Picture Courtesy of Jamie McCarthy and Getty Images
Video Courtesy of Facebook and WBBM-TV Chicago
JUST IN: Jussie Smollett Indicted by Chicago Grand Jury on 16 Counts was originally published on wzakcleveland.com