Smollett case focused unwanted attention on Chicago police
By: The Associated Press, policeone.com
CHICAGO — The surprise decision by prosecutors to drop charges against Jussie Smollett angered Chicago’s police superintendent and mayor, who said the alleged hoax was costly to investigate and dragged the city’s reputation through the mud. It also focused attention on a police department that has struggled to reduce violent crime while defending itself against allegations of brutality.
Police and prosecutors continue to believe that the former “Empire” cast member hired two men to fake a racist and anti-gay attack and then lied about it.
But the charges were dropped without Smollett admitting wrongdoing, typically a requirement in such cases.