Chicago — Mark Geragos, an attorney for Jussie Smollett, stated a 16-be counted indictment towards the “Empire” actor is “vindictive” and that Smollett “keeps his innocence.” Geragos said in an announcement he did no longer anticipate a Cook County grand jury might charge Smollet with 16 separate counts.

He said the indictment is “prosecutorial overkill.”

The indictment “is nothing extra than a desperate attempt to make headlines on the way to distract from the internal research launched to research the outrageous leaking of statistics using the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and unlawful invasion of Jussie’s privacy,” Geragos stated.

Smollett is charged with disorderly behavior for making a false record of an assault on him in Chicago. Local media have suggested that the Chicago Police Department is investigating leaks to journalists in the investigation of the recommended attack.

Timeline of events considering “Empire” actor pronounced Chicago assault
The 36-12 months-antique actor, black and overtly gay, performs Jamal Lyon on Fox’s hit TV display, “Empire,” a drama that chronicles a circle of relatives-run report label. He instructed police that he changed into attacked using two masked men while returning domestic from a Subway sandwich save in late January around 2 a.M.

Smollett claimed the two men had beat him, said homophobic and racial slurs, and positioned a looped rope around his neck before fleeing. He stated he heard, “that is MAGA united states of America,” an apparent reference to President Trump’s marketing campaign slogan.

Police said Smollett staged the attack and recruited two brothers to participate.

The government manufacturers of “Empire” stated final month, they may be removing Jussie Smollett’s individual from the last episodes of the show’s season “to avoid further disruption on set.”

“While those allegations are very demanding, we are placing our agree with within the legal system because the procedure plays out,” the manufacturers said.