‘Empire’ producers weigh Smollett suspension: report
Producers for “Empire” are reportedly considering whether to suspend star actor Jussie Smollett after he was charged Wednesday with a felony, Variety reported late Wednesday, citing sources close to the show’s production team.
Smollett was charged Wednesday with with filing a false report and disorderly conduct, Chicago police said.
Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guiglielmi said police suspected Smollett filed a false report, a class 4 felony.
Smollett told police last month that he was attacked by two people who allegedly yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, tied a rope around his neck and poured a chemical substance on him.{mosads}
Smollett’s attorneys pledged Wednesday to “mount an aggressive defense” in response to the charges.
A spokesperson for 20th Century Fox Television, which produces “Empire,” did not immediately return a request for comment to The Hill.
Earlier Wednesday, 20th Century Fox Television threw its support behind Smollett, telling ITK that he is “not being written out of the show.”
“Jussie Smollett continues to be a consummate professional on set,” 20th Century Fox Television said in a statement earlier Wednesday.
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