Empire star attacked in hate crime

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Kevin M.

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Jan 29, 2019, 1:13:10 PM1/29/19
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Welcome to Trump’s America 

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Bob Jersey

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Jan 29, 2019, 3:15:59 PM1/29/19
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Kevin M., today (1/29):
Welcome to Trump’s America 


Don and all his lot are rotten enough without civilian unsubs* trying to impress him, esp. in Dem-dominated places like Chicago.

*Allen chronically watches crime procedurals where this term is common

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Bob Jersey

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Feb 14, 2019, 8:36:46 PM2/14/19
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Chicago PD (the real one) picked up two persons of interest at O'Hare Airport Wednesday.

But, "Multiple sources have told (WLS-TV) (link) that police are investigating whether Smollett and the two men staged the attack allegedly because Smollett was being written off of `Empire.'" 20th and Fox deny any such plans.

Pee-arr from the actor's reps contend he is cooperating with the cops, but another source told Channel 7 he didn't show up to a meeting with them.

Then there's the law-enforcement source who told ABC News the men's houses were raided for possible incriminating stuff... CPD denies.

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Bob Jersey

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Feb 16, 2019, 9:33:39 AM2/16/19
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Moi, Thurs. (2/14):
The men of interest were released without charges, but apparently led cops to useful clues... due to an unrelated fatal shooting in suburban Aurora, CPD is reserving comment. Variety (link)

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Bob Jersey

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Feb 18, 2019, 2:26:48 PM2/18/19
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THR (link): Smollett turned down another meeting today (2/18) with cops, tho lawyers contend he is still cooperating.

Rightie media is seething.

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Bob Jersey

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Feb 20, 2019, 1:01:38 PM2/20/19
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THR (link): Fox and 20th (continue to) deny TMZ contention Smollett would be written out of 'Empire.' The two brothers questioned by Chicago cops told WBBM-TV (link) they aren't racist nor homophobic, and were born and raised in the city. B

Bob Jersey

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Feb 20, 2019, 8:13:28 PM2/20/19
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NBC News (link): CPD now suspects Smollett of making a false police report, a low-level felony in Illinois.

The state's attorney (district attorney in most states) for Cook County recused herself from the case, "based upon familiarity with potential witnesses," per an email.

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Bob Jersey

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Feb 21, 2019, 10:41:13 AM2/21/19
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Moi, yesterday (2/20):
NBC News (link): CPD now suspects Smollett of making a false police report, a low-level felony in Illinois.

The state's attorney (district attorney in most states) for Cook County recused herself from the case, "based upon familiarity with potential witnesses," per an email.

Aaaaaaaand he's in custody. I turned on the Wendy-less show (WWOR) to find a panel hoping he comes clean about it, then went to WPVI to find ABC showing a presser by the cops-in-charge in lieu of "Rachael."

Variety (link)

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Steve Timko

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Feb 21, 2019, 10:37:39 PM2/21/19
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According to TMZ Smollett pleaded with the "Empire" cast and said he didn't do this. Obviously he has the presumption of innocence, but he appears to have left behind a mountain of evidence: The magazines used to clip the letters for the phony threat, texts setting up the plot, plus the conspirators caught on video buying the masks. He is digging himself in deeper, which makes it harder to come clean. 
I don't think he has any criminal history, but I think prison could be warranted. He made it that much tougher for blacks and gays to report legitimate hate crimes. 

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Kevin M.

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Feb 21, 2019, 10:45:17 PM2/21/19
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On Thu, Feb 21, 2019 at 7:37 PM Steve Timko <steve...@gmail.com> wrote:
According to TMZ Smollett pleaded with the "Empire" cast and said he didn't do this. Obviously he has the presumption of innocence, but he appears to have left behind a mountain of evidence: The magazines used to clip the letters for the phony threat, texts setting up the plot, plus the conspirators caught on video buying the masks. He is digging himself in deeper, which makes it harder to come clean. 
I don't think he has any criminal history, but I think prison could be warranted. He made it that much tougher for blacks and gays to report legitimate hate crimes. 

As I posted on Facebook earlier, there were three top stories today: A Trump coconspirator taken to task for threatening his judge on social media, the arrest of an active serviceman for amassing a weapons stockpile with the intention of murdering journalists Trump has called enemies of the people, and an actor who lied about being assaulted. The distinction is that once it became apparent that Smollett was a lying ass, those who defended him were quick to oppose his stupidity and encourage the charges against him. Imagine if the GOP leadership was as able to admit a mistake and encourage righting a wrong. 



On Thu, Feb 21, 2019 at 7:41 AM 'Bob Jersey' via TVorNotTV <tvor...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Moi, yesterday (2/20):
NBC News (link): CPD now suspects Smollett of making a false police report, a low-level felony in Illinois.

The state's attorney (district attorney in most states) for Cook County recused herself from the case, "based upon familiarity with potential witnesses," per an email.

Aaaaaaaand he's in custody. I turned on the Wendy-less show (WWOR) to find a panel hoping he comes clean about it, then went to WPVI to find ABC showing a presser by the cops-in-charge in lieu of "Rachael."

Variety (link)

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

Steve Timko

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Feb 22, 2019, 12:31:07 PM2/22/19
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Steve Timko

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Mar 20, 2019, 10:00:27 PM3/20/19
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Daniels: 'Pain and anger' around 'Empire' in recent weeks

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Empire" co-creator and executive producer Lee Daniels says the weeks since cast member Jussie Smollett was arrested and charged with fabricating a racist and homophobic attack have been "a freakin' rollercoaster."
In an Instagram video that doesn't refer to Smollett by name, Daniels says since "the incident" he and his cast have "experienced pain and anger and sadness and frustration and really don't know how to deal with it."
Daniels had been among the first to voice his support for Smollett after he made the report in January.
Daniels says the situation nearly made him forget to tell audiences that the Fox drama returns to the air Wednesday. Daniels and other producers removed Smollett's character from the season's final episodes after his arrest in Chicago.
Smollett has pleaded not guilty.

Bob Jersey

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Mar 26, 2019, 11:50:17 AM3/26/19
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Surprise! Prosecutors drop all charges against Smollett... note this in a Trib piece:
"A week before the alleged attack, Smollett told police he received a threatening letter at work. Prosecutors said Smollett staged the attack because he was unhappy with the studio's response to the threatening letter. Chicago police took it a step further, accusing Smollett of faking the letter as well."


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Steve Timko

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Mar 26, 2019, 12:41:38 PM3/26/19
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The TMZ article suggests that if Smollett had Ben convicted, he would only gotten community service, so they are getting community service and his $10,000 bond without having to go to trial.

Tom Wolper

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Mar 26, 2019, 4:08:53 PM3/26/19
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On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 12:41 PM Steve Timko <steve...@gmail.com> wrote:
The TMZ article suggests that if Smollett had Ben convicted, he would only gotten community service, so they are getting community service and his $10,000 bond without having to go to trial.

That's what a good defense attorney does for their client.

Bob Jersey

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Mar 27, 2019, 3:43:28 PM3/27/19
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Two former chiefs of staff for the Obamas figure in the aftermath of this case.

One is now-Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel (COS to the then-POTUS), who'd like to bring a civil-damage suit against Smollett for what the city spent on the investigation.

The other is Tina Tchen (COS to Mrs O), who had hoped the Cook County State's Attorney would get the FBI involved in the case (Kim Foxx eventually recused herself after referring the matter back to the cops)


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Bob Jersey

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Mar 27, 2019, 3:56:49 PM3/27/19
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Now come the bigger questions....

Will Empire somehow work JS back into the show, presuming the Fox split doesn't complicate its renewal?

And what if the Feds do decide to get involved?


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Steve Timko

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Mar 27, 2019, 6:02:31 PM3/27/19
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The problem with dismissing all charges is that it leaves the door open for a possible federal prosecution. When they want to protect cops from federal excessive force charges they have them plead guilty to a misdemeanor in state or county/city court and the protects from federal charges because of double jeopardy. Then, in a few years, after the statue of limitations has expired, they seal the misdemeanor case and the cop can continue like nothing happened. If all the charges are dismissed, Smollett could face federal charges of some sort.


Steve Timko

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Mar 28, 2019, 8:18:24 PM3/28/19
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CHICAGO (AP) - A city official says Chicago is seeking $130,000 from "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett to cover the costs of the investigation into his reported beating, which police say was staged.
Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for the city government's legal department, confirmed the amount Thursday, hours after Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the city would try to recoup the money it spent on the investigation.
Cook County prosecutors on Tuesday dropped all of the charges against Smollett, who was accused of lying to police about being the victim of a homophobic and racist attack in downtown Chicago on Jan. 29.
Emanuel and the police department blasted the decision to drop the charges, saying they stand by their belief that Smollett hired two friends to help him stage the attack because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted publicity.
Smollett has maintained throughout that he is innocent.

Bob Jersey

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Mar 30, 2019, 10:40:37 AM3/30/19
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Moi, Mar 27, in part:
And what if the Feds do decide to get involved?


Well, our misprioritized POTUS wants them to do so... in between jabs at news-channels over ratings...


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Bob Jersey

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Apr 5, 2019, 8:27:10 PM4/5/19
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Steve Timko, March 28th, quoting Aypee, in part:
CHICAGO (AP) - A city official says Chicago is seeking $130,000 from "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett to cover the costs of the investigation into his reported beating, which police say was staged.


Bob Jersey

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Apr 12, 2019, 10:01:53 PM4/12/19
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Moi, last Friday (4/05):
They did, said Variety... a city ordinance allows treble damages...


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Steve Timko

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Apr 17, 2019, 9:04:57 PM4/17/19
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Texts: Chicago prosecutor called Smollett 'washed up celeb'
CHICAGO (AP) - Text messages show the Chicago prosecutor whose office handled the case of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett told her top deputy that Smollett was a "washed up celeb" who was overcharged.
The office of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx released thousands of documents from the investigation late Tuesday in response to media requests.
Smollett was initially charged with 16 counts alleging he lied to police when reporting he'd been the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in January. Police insist he staged the attack.
Foxx said in February that she was recusing herself. But she weighed in on March 8, sending a text to her first assistant that said: "Pedophile with 4 victims, 10 counts. Washed up celeb who lied to cops, 16."
Prosecutors dropped all charges later that month with little explanation.
Foxx's office declined to release internal Smollett case files, noting the case had been sealed by a judge.

Steve Timko

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May 1, 2019, 6:01:05 PM5/1/19
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Jussie Smollett will not return to 'Empire' for next season
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fox Entertainment says Jussie Smollett will not return to "Empire" in the wake of allegations by Chicago officials the actor lied about a racially motivated attack.
The studio released a statement Tuesday saying "there are no plans for Smollett's character of Jamal to return to 'Empire.'" No reason was given.
Fox announced earlier Tuesday that the show had been renewed for a sixth season.
Chicago police allege Smollett paid two brothers to help him stage a January attack in which he said two masked men beat him, hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him, doused him with a chemical substance and put a rope around his neck.
Smollett, who is black and gay, maintains the attack wasn't staged. He was arrested, but prosecutors later dropped the charges .
"Empire" films each episode in Chicago.

Steve Timko

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Aug 7, 2019, 6:58:23 PM8/7/19
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Jussie Smollett is gone from "Empire" but his character will live on - at least in photos, Fox Entertainment chief says


Bob Jersey

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Aug 24, 2019, 2:38:28 PM8/24/19
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Steve Timko, to moi, April 17th this year:
Texts: Chicago prosecutor called Smollett 'washed up celeb'
CHICAGO (AP) - Text messages show the Chicago prosecutor whose office handled the case of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett told her top deputy that Smollett was a "washed up celeb" who was overcharged.
The office of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx released thousands of documents from the investigation late Tuesday in response to media requests.
Smollett was initially charged with 16 counts alleging he lied to police when reporting he'd been the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in January. Police insist he staged the attack.
Foxx said in February that she was recusing herself. But she weighed in on March 8, sending a text to her first assistant that said: "Pedophile with 4 victims, 10 counts. Washed up celeb who lied to cops, 16."
Prosecutors dropped all charges later that month with little explanation.
Foxx's office declined to release internal Smollett case files, noting the case had been sealed by a judge.


And possibly this same judge, after about two months' search, announced the appointment of a special prosecutor to find out why Smollett's charges got dropped.

Dan Webb was a special counsel in the Iran-Contra investigation. The defense tried to stop the process, citing possible double jeopardy.


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Steve Timko

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Feb 11, 2020, 5:44:42 PM2/11/20
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