The long-running legal battle between actor Jussie Smollett and the City of Chicago has come to an end.
City officials announced Thursday that Smollett will pay $50,000 to the BBF Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit that serves under-resourced youth with community, health, and education programs. This payment resolves the city’s 2019 lawsuit, which aimed to recover more than $130,000 spent investigating what police determined was a staged attack orchestrated by Smollett.
Smollett had already paid the city $10,000 in 2019.
In a statement, Chicago’s Department of Law called the agreement “a fair, constructive, and conclusive resolution,” and said it allows all parties to move on from the six-year-old case.
Jussie Smollett Speaks Out
Smollett also released a statement Friday, maintaining his innocence and explaining why he agreed to settle the civil case.
“Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself,” Smollett wrote. “This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear.”
He said he chose to settle only after being given the chance to donate to a cause he believes in rather than pay the city directly. Smollett lived in Chicago for over five years while filming Empire, and said the community felt like family.
“…Making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support.”
Smollett selected the BBF Center for the Arts himself and said he was “comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience.”
He also referenced the Illinois Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to overturn his previous conviction, stating:
“I am innocent both in the eyes of God and of our criminal justice system.”
Smollett added that he will continue to create art, advocate for causes he believes in, and protect his name and character. He also announced an additional $10,000 donation to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, which supports victims of police violence.
“To anyone who has had to prove they have in fact been violated, you know how difficult this can be to navigate. I stand with and for you,” Smollett said.
The statement closes with a note of gratitude to those who supported him.
“Your prayers and belief in me mean more than words can properly express. I will never take it lightly and will never forget. Onward.”
Full Statement From Jussie Smollett, May 23, 2025:
Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear. These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear They have received neither.
The decision to settle the civil lawsuit was not the most difficult one to make. After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed. Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family. Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support. I’ve made a $50,000.00 donation to Building Brighter Futures (BBF) Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self-expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth. This organization was of my choosing and I’m comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience.
Though I was exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court in a unanimous decision and the civil case is now dismissed, I’m aware that it will not change everyone’s mind about me or the attack I experienced. However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent both in the eyes of God and of our criminal justice system. What I have to do now is move forward. I will continue creating my art, fighting passionately for causes I hold dear and defending my integrity and family name with the truth.
Lastly, I’m grateful to have had the resources to defend myself. So many do not. They are backed into corners to take deals or confess to crimes they did not actually commit. In their honor, I am donating an additional $10,000.00 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center who provides resources to communities healing from the violence of the Chicago Police Department. To anyone who has had to prove they have in fact been violated, you know how difficult this can be to navigate. I stand with and for you. To everyone who has supported me, thank you. Your prayers and belief in me mean more than words can properly express. I will never take it lightly and will never forget. Onward.
With Love & Respect,
Jussie Smollett
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