Empire star Jussie Smollet indicted on 16 felony counts by the grand jury. The charges stem from the climactic events surround an alleged racist and homophobic attack Smollet endured in Chicago.
Originally charged with filing a false police report Jussie Smollet now faces steeper consequences. Since the beginning of the now-sensational case, details from Smollet and the police department differed. According to Billboard, police announced an investigation to find internal leaks.
The alleged incident occurring January 29 left Smollet claims to have been left beaten and bleached. Stories offered by Jussie Smollet claim his innocence as police continue to investigate the matter.
WABC-TV ABC 7 reports the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed the indictment, returned by a grand jury on Thursday. The new charges possibly result in lengthy probation sentencing or possible jail time.
