All Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett, Record Expunged, Actor Speaks Out [WATCH]

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In an emergency court appearance this morning, a Cook County prosecutor ordered that all charges against Jussie Smollett be dropped and his record be expunged. In January, the Empire actor was briefly hospitalized after an alleged racist and homophobic attack. Since then there have been many conspiracy theories on if the incident was staged, which Smollett vehemently denied, despite Chicago police calling the claims “shameful”.

But as of today, the 36-year-old’s record has been wiped clean. In a statement, the state’s attorney’s office said,“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case.”

He addressed the media shortly after. Watch.

Smollett, who was indicted on 16 counts of filing a false police report, and his family also released a statement, “Our son and brother is an innocent man whose name and character has been unjustly smeared,” the statement read. “Jussie is a son, a brother, a partner, a champion for human rights, and a genuine soul who would never be capable of what he was falsely accused of. He was the victim of an assault and then falsely blamed for his own attack. This morning truth has prevailed and he has been vindicated. All charges have been dismissed and his record expunged (cleared).”