Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is bewildered that all 16 felony counts against Jussie Smollett were dropped Tuesday. (March 26)
Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson reportedly learned of the bombshell news with the rest of the world and offered stern commentary about the case that left the country guessing after each new development.
The mayor took his frustration to Good Morning America Wednesday (March 27) and doubled down on his belief that the former Empire actor is guilty.
“He abused the City of Chicago. He actually committed a crime here and remember, the grand jury indicted him after only seeing a portion of the evidence,” the mayor said. “He said he wanted to get his name cleared and that’s what I want for him.
Emanuel insists dropping the charges only further confuses Chicago and all those who have been following the story.
“Let’s get to the bottom of this. He violated everything and every principle in a city that not only embraced him as an actor but more importantly the values of being whoever you are, whoever you love, whatever your background you have a home here. He took that, turned it around and tried to self promote himself.”
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: @ChicagosMayor on the Jussie Smollett bombshell, “they better get their stories straight.” https://t.co/BHjpbroTWb pic.twitter.com/RSiXF0TZ3H
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 27, 2019
In January, Smollett alleged to have been attacked by two men who used racial and homophobic slurs as he exited a Subway fast-food restaurant at 2 AM. Smollet said the men beat and kicked him, attempted to tie a noose around his neck and poured bleach on him. Immediately, many in Hollywood took to social media to offer support, but as the story went on suspicion arose.
While the charges against the openly-gay entertainer have been dropped, Fox News is reporting lawsuits as well as a federal investigation may be next.