Jussie Smollett’s attorneys have filed a counterclaim against the City of Chicago, several police officers and the two brothers that were accused of helping him stage an alleged racist and homophobic attack.
The counterclaim, which is a part of a larger answer to the city’s lawsuit against Smollett, alleges that malicious prosecution caused the actor “economic harm, humiliation, mental anguish and extreme emotional distress.”
The city wants $130,106 from Smollett for the investigation that took place after his alleged attack. Smollett’s lawyers say that he should not be subject to this because of his earlier $10,000 payment for bail.
They also say that the police had Smollett prosecuted based on “false, self-serving, and unreliable statements” from brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo “in order to close the investigation into the attack on Mr. Smollett.”
On the charges being dropped against their client, they say it “indicates his innocence because all 16 counts of the criminal indictment were dismissed two and a half weeks after the indictment was filed.”
There are currently no plans for Smollett to return to Empire for its final season on Fox.
READ MORE:
Here’s Why We Can’t Throw Away Jussie Smollett’s ‘Empire’ Character Jamal Lyon
Find Out How ‘Empire’ Will Explain Jamal’s Absence In The Sixth And Final Season
Photo: Getty Images
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