Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson said Tuesday that actor Jussie Smollett would face consequences if found to have filed a fake police report on a supposed attack on himself by Trump-supporting bandits.
The police chief’s remarks could serve as the strongest indicator yet that the Chicago Police Department are treating the attack- in which Smollett claims he was mobbed by a group of men wearing MAGA hats and chanting abuse- with a sense of skepticism.
Police investigating the incident are said to be subpoenaing Smollett’s phone records, as the actor claimed to have been on the phone with his manager during the event. He’s thus far refused to allow police to examine his phone, possibly substantiating or disproving his claims.
Smollett also claimed that the attackers- who told him that “This is MAGA Country” in downtown Chicago- placed rope around his neck and doused him in a liquid substance. Investigators have determined that the rope Smollett claimed was used was recently purchased, and are inquiring with local retailers about sales of similar products.
Thus far no suspects have been positively identified for the attack. Smollett was on surveillance camera footage for all but a 60-second window on the night the alleged attack took place- meaning he was assaulted, doused with liquid, and roped around the neck within that time, all while “fighting back” against his attackers.
Filing a false police report is a class four felony in the state of Illinois, and can get you a jail sentence in addition to hefty fines.