Empire star Jussie Smollett has been released from jail after being accused of staging a racially motivated and homophobic attack on himself in Chicago last month. Following a hearing that saw Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr set a 100,000 US dollar (£77,000) bond, Smollett walked free from the Cook County jail. Empire actor Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail following his release on Thursday in Chicago (Kamil Krzaczynski/AP)During the bond hearing, Smollett – who denies the allegations – spoke only to state his name, according to the Associated Press. Jussie Smollett’s mugshot (AP/PA)However, Chicago police allege that the attack was a hoax orchestrated by the actor as he was “dissatisfied with his salary” on Fox network drama Empire. Following the alleged attack, Smollett had been widely supported by celebrities and public figures, including Ariana Grande, Michael B Jordan, Olivia Munn and Ellen DeGeneres, as well as Donald Trump.

Source: Irish Examiner February 21, 2019 23:15 UTC