Words by Eboni Euniece
It’s been six weeks since the story broke that beloved Empire actor Jussie Smollet was the victim of a vicious hate crime. Today the public outcry is much different as he pleads not guilty to 16 counts of Felony disorderly conduct. New information was reported last night that Cook County’s State Attorney Kim Foxx removed herself from the case due to her lack of impartiality. Foxx was revealed to have been texting back and forth with both the Smollet family and Tina Tchen. Tchen, who was Michelle Obama’s chief of staff during her time at the white house, informed Foxx about the Smollet family’s concerns about leaks in the Chicago Police Department. They felt the case would be more secure in the hands of the FBI. Text messages show Foxx telling both Tchen and one of the Smollet siblings that she spoke to Superintendent Johnson and convinced him to reach out to the FBI and ask that they take over the case. This was all before Jussie was charged. Joe Magats is now overseeing the case.
The TV actor arrived at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse with his attorneys, friends, and family. Cameras were allowed inside as a judge assigned Judge Steven Watkins to his case.
