The Cook County state’s attorney dropped all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, shown speaking to reporters Tuesday, in exchange for forfeiting the bond he paid. Smollett was accused of staging a homophobic, racist attack against himself in January. CHICAGO—Prosecutors dropped all 16 charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a hate crime against himself, after Mr. Smollett agreed to surrender a $10,000 bond he paid following his arrest. Mr. Smollett, who stars on the Fox television show “Empire,” had been accused of planning and faking the attack, in which he said he was approached by two men who yelled slurs about his race and sexual orientation—and then physically attacked him before placing a rope around his neck.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 26, 2019 15:47 UTC