"Will never forget" - Jussie Smollett releases a statement after reaching a settlement with city of Chicago, pays $50K to charities

Actor Jussie Smollett has just revealed that his legal conflict with the officials of the City of Chicago has been settled. On May 23, Smollett took to Instagram to express gratitude towards everyone who supported him during the lengthy legal dispute. He wrote:

"To everyone who has supported me, thank you. Your prayers and belief in me mean more than words can properly. I will never take it lightly and will never forget."

Smollett also shared details of the settlement in the statement. The Empire actor wrote:

“Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear. These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear... They have received neither.”

Continuing, Smollett added:

“The decision to settle the civil lawsuit was not the most difficult one to make. After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed.”

Revealing that he had chosen to donate to Chicago-based non-profit organizations, Smollett shared:

“Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family. Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support. I've made a $50,000,00 direct donation to Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts (BBF), a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth. This organization was of my choosing and I'm comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience.”

Smollett also shared that he would be making another donation. Providing details, the actor wrote:

“I'm grateful to have had the resources to defend myself. So many do not. They are backed into corners to take deals or confess to crimes they did not actually commit. In their honor, I am donating an additional $10,000.00 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center who provides resources to communities healing from the violence of the Chicago Police Department. To anyone who has had to prove they have in fact been violated, you know how difficult this can be to navigate. I stand with and for you.”

Jussie Smollett was accused of staging a fake hate crime by the City of Chicago in 2019

Jussie Smollett filed a complaint with the Chicago police in 2019, claiming that he had been a victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime, which involved two men attacking him.

After an investigation, Chicago police alleged that the perpetrators were paid to orchestrate the hate crime by the actor himself, CNN reported at the time.

Jussie Smollett was arrested by the authorities and believed to have staged the attack against his own self to prompt a raise in his salary on the television show, Empire, as per the New York Times.

The actor, who consistently alleged innocence, was sued by the City of Chicago for $130,000 to recoup the money spent on investigating the hoax attack, noted the New York Times.

Following a trial, Smollett was found guilty of staging the hate crime in 2020. After being sentenced to 150 days in prison, the actor filed an appeal, as per CBS News.

According to the outlet, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Smollett’s conviction in 2024 after ruling that his prosecution was not merited after charges against the actor in 2019 were originally dropped. It is important to note that, reportedly, the court did not pronounce a decision on the ‘merits’ of the case itself, nor on Smollett’s guilt or innocence. This marked the end of the criminal case against Smollett, while a civil case between the actor and the City of Chicago was still pending.

As Jussie Smollett noted in his statement on Instagram on May 23, 2025, the civil case against him will now be dismissed. Addressing the dismissal, Smollett commented on how his reputation has suffered and wrote:

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“Though I was exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court in a unanimous decision and the civil case will now be dismissed, I'm aware that it will not change everyone's mind about me or the attack I experienced. However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent in the eyes of God and our criminal justice system.”

Jussie Smollett also wrote that he now plans to focus on his art and on fighting for causes he believes in.

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