An Illinois grand jury has returned an indictment against Hollywood actor, Jussie Smollett, regarding filing a fraudulent police report, alleging he was the victim of a homophobic and racist attack. Smollett stands accused of paying two of his fellow "Empire" actors to stage a fake attack on him in Chicago. Smollett then broke the law in reporting it to police, for a salary increase on the show "Empire" and for public sympathy.

Smollett embarrassed authorities in Chicago in stating he was beaten and subjected to racist and homophobic slurs, as a black gay man, who was walking the streets on January 29, 2019 at the unsafe hour of 2:00AM. However, it turns out he was safe after all and the attack was fake. Smollett usurped police time and resources on these lies that gained worldwide attention.

Smollett has been hit with 16 felony charges that represent each lie he told the police, wasting their time and resources that could have been better served on valid cases. They had no choice but to take him seriously and they did the right thing in that. However, he owes them and the public an apology for lying

Previously in the case, Smollett was charged with one felony count of filing a false police report and disorderly conduct. The new counts represent each lie Smollett spewed. He is facing 80-years in prison if convicted on all the charges. Smollett need not risk it. He needs to take a plea deal and admit the truth regarding lying to the police.