INTERNATIONAL: The Chicago court sentenced “Empire” Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail and 30 months probation for staging a hate crime against himself.

In January 2019, prosecutors said that Smollett lied to the police about strangers attacking him with a noose, pouring chemicals, and yelling racist, homophobic slurs at him. The police later arrested him after two brothers confessed to getting paid over $3000 by Smollett to stage the attack to raise his profile.

The verdict that happened on Thursday, 10 March 2022, also included the maximum fine of $25,000 and an additional $120,000 in restitution to the court.

Judge James Linn said, "There is nothing worse than to be a victim of a hate crime. It is the worst thing that can happen, especially in our country with all our history and all that we're going through now to try to get around some of these issues. Hate crimes are the absolute worst, and I believe that you did damage to real hate crimes, to hate crime victims.”

Smollett maintained his innocence and said, "If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBTQ community. Your honor, I respect you and I respect the jury, but I did not do this and I am not suicidal. And if anything happens to me, when I go in there, I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that.”

The Judge said that Smollett has the right to appeal and is free to travel during probation as he will probably need to travel for work and can check in by phone.

Smollett lost his role in the final season of “Empire” amidst the hate crime incident.