Current:Home > ScamsJussie Smollett Gets Rehab Treatment Amid Appeal in Fake Hate Crime Case-InfoLens
Jussie Smollett Gets Rehab Treatment Amid Appeal in Fake Hate Crime Case
View Date:2024-12-23 10:27:52
Jussie Smollett is seeking professional help.
The Empire actor—who was found guilty in 2021 of making false police reports for an alleged 2019 hate crime—is getting treatment through a rehab facility's outpatient program, his rep told TMZ Oct. 18.
"Jussie has had an extremely difficult past few years," the rep said. "He has quietly been working very hard for some time now and we are proud of him for taking these necessary steps."
It's unclear what he's being treated for.
Smollett has been in the midst of an appeals process after an Illinois jury found him guilty in December 2021 on five of six counts of disorderly conduct for making false police reports.
After the verdict, the actor's lawyer Nenye Uche maintained his innocence while speaking to reporters outside of the courthouse.
"The verdict is inconsistent. You cannot say Jussie is lying and Jussie is not lying for the same exact incident," the attorney said. "So, we feel 100 percent confident that this case will be won on appeal."
In March 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 in days in jail, received 30 months of felony probation and was ordered to pay the city around $120,000 in restitution, as well as a fine of $25,000.
However, the 41-year-old was released from jail six days later after posting a bail of $150,000, according to the court order obtained by E! News at the time. As for the reason for his release, the appellate court said the ruling on his appeal may not have been completed before Smollett would have finished serving his sentence, so he was granted a "stay" or pause in his time behind bars.
The Mighty Ducks star first sparked a police investigation in Chicago in January 2019, when he alleged to investigators that two men in masks attacked him while yelling racial and homophobic slurs, poured a type of chemical substance on him and wrapped a noose around his neck.
However, days later, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said investigators believe that Smollett paid $3,500 for two brothers to help him stage a fake hate crime—a claim the actor has denied.
Following his release from jail last year, Smollett made public appearances at the 2022 Atlanta Black Pride Weekend festival, The Vision Community Foundation's black tie gala in Atlanta and the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
He more recently shared on Instagram in June 2023 that he had wrapped his second feature film as a producer and director. At the time, former costar Taraji P. Henson commented, "So proud of you my baby!!!!"
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (6)
Related
- Judge set to rule on whether to scrap Trump’s conviction in hush money case
- Bestselling Finds Under $25 You Need From Ban.do's Biggest Sale of The Year To Brighten Your Day
- Prince William wants to see end to Israel-Hamas war 'as soon as possible'
- DNA from trash links former U.S. soldier to 1978 murder in Germany, investigators say: Match was 1 in 270 quadrillion
- Ben Foster Files for Divorce From Laura Prepon After 6 Years of Marriage
- Who wins the NL Central? Brewers owner rebuffs critics that say they can't repeat division
- Two Indicators: Economics of the defense industry
- Man suspected in killing of woman in NYC hotel room arrested in Arizona after two stabbings there
- Tennis Channel suspends reporter after comments on Barbora Krejcikova's appearance
- Alabama lawmakers would define man and woman based on sperm and ova
Ranking
- Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to watch the fight, time, odds
- 'Who TF Did I Marry': Woman's TikTok saga on marriage to ex-husband goes massively viral
- Reviewers drag 'Madame Web,' as social media reacts to Dakota Johnson's odd press run
- Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens had Russian intelligence contacts, prosecutors say
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- Bestselling Finds Under $25 You Need From Ban.do's Biggest Sale of The Year To Brighten Your Day
- A Colorado man is dead after a pet Gila monster bite
- 2 men charged with murder in shooting at Kansas City Chiefs parade that killed 1, injured 22
Recommendation
-
Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
-
Connecticut trooper who fatally shot man in stopped car set to go on trial
-
Flint man becomes first person charged under Michigan’s new gun storage law
-
A secret text code can help loved ones in an emergency: Here's how to set one up
-
Can't afford a home? Why becoming a landlord might be the best way to 'house hack.'
-
Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens had Russian intelligence contacts, prosecutors say
-
Midge Purce, Olivia Moultrie lead youthful USWNT to easy win in Concacaf W Gold Cup opener
-
College student who shares flight information for Taylor Swift's jet responds to her lawyers' cease-and-desist: Look What You Made Me Do