Actor Jussie Smollett leaves court after charges against him were dropped by state prosecutors in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. March 26, 2019. (Xinhua/REUTERS)
CHICAGO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) would review actor Jussie Smollett's case, calling it "an embarrassment to our nation."
"FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!" Trump tweeted in response to the controversy over the case.
Smollett, 36, an African American and gay who is a cast member of the hip-hop drama "Empire", allegedly paid two men 3,500 U.S. dollars to stage an attack on him in downtown Chicago on the early morning of Jan. 29.
Chicago police first treated the high profile case as a possible hate crime. However, as investigation deepened, they found evidence indicating the actor orchestrated the attack because he was dissatisfied with his salary on "Empire".
On Feb. 21, Smollett surrendered to Chicago police after local prosecutors approved felony charges of disorderly conduct for allegedly making false police report.
However, prosecutors in Cook County, Illinois on Tuesday dropped all charges against the actor following a surprise court hearing.
"After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett's volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case," the county prosecutors said the statement.
The astonishing twist triggered controversy. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, along with Chicago police chief Eddie Johnson, blasted the prosecutors' decision and emphasized that a grand jury had chosen to bring 16 counts of disorderly conduct against Smollett.
"This is, without a doubt, a whitewash of justice and sends a clear message that if you're in a position of influence and power, you get treated one way, other people will be treated another way," said the mayor, immediately after the prosecutors' move.
The city of Chicago reportedly sent a letter to Smollett through his attorneys on Thursday, demanding he pay 130,106 U.S. dollars "expended on overtime hours in the investigation of this matter," according to the Chicago Tribune.
