Jussie Smollett Loses Appeal Against Hate Crime Hoax Conviction

Former Empire actor to serve remaining 144 days of his 150-day prison sentence following failed appeal.

Jussie Smollett, former Empire actor, has lost his appeal against his 2021 conviction for staging a hate crime against himself in 2019.
Smollett was convicted on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police and orchestrating the attack.
Smollett's legal team argued that his 2021 trial violated his Fifth Amendment protection against double jeopardy, as he had already performed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond as part of a 2019 agreement to drop the initial charges.
The appellate court upheld Smollett's conviction and clarified that under Illinois law, his previous agreement 'is not a final disposition of the case, and will not bar another prosecution for the same offense.'
Smollett will now serve the remaining 144 days of his 150-day prison sentence.