Update!

Jussie Smollett Officially Facing $130,000 Lawsuit in Alleged Attack Case

The City of Chicago is requesting repayment for the money spent on the investigation

By Cydney Contreras Oct 22, 2019 9:43 PMTags
Jussie SmollettMatt Marton/AP/Shutterstock

UPDATE: Federal judge, Virginia Kendall, has denied Jussie Smollett's request to dismiss the Chicago lawsuit filed against him, according to court documents. Additionally, the judge said the Chicago Police Department can proceed to investigate the case. 

Of the news, Smollett's attorney, William J. Quinlan, told E! News, "The Court today ruled that the City’s case will be decided on the facts and not the pleadings. As you know, in the legal system dismissal on the pleadings is a very high bar and, as a result, the Court’s decision is not surprising."

He added, "The pleadings are just the city’s side of the story Now, Mr. Smollett will get to present his side of the case. Mr. Smollett has always maintained his innocence and is eager to have the complete facts of the case come out. He looks forward to taking depositions and otherwise bringing to light many of the facts that have been overlooked in the court of public opinion to date. Mr. Smollett is confident that once the full story is available he will be vindicated."

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Jussie Smollett is facing more legal troubles.

E! News has obtained the civil complaint that the City of Chicago filed against the Empire star on Thursday. According to the court documents, the city is formally requesting over $100,000 in "overtime pay that the City paid solely due to Defendant's false statements." Bill McCaffrey, a rep for the City of Chicago, tells E! News, "The Law Department has filed a civil complaint against Mr. Smollett in the Circuit Court of Cook County that pursues the full measure of damages allowed under the false statements ordinance."

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Jussie Smollett Attack Investigation Takes a Major Turn: Everything We Know

The complaint also outlines the evidence that supports their argument, including statements made by the Osundairo brothers, who Jussie accused of allegedly attacking him. 

The lawsuit comes weeks after the City of Chicago sent the actor a letter requesting the repayment of $130,106.15. "Ultimately, the Chicago police investigation revealed that you knowingly filed a false police report and had in fact orchestrated your own attack," the letter alleges. However, Jussie denies that he fabricated the allegations. 

According to the letter sent in March, the city claims they requested the payment as "an attempt to resolve this matter without further legal action."

Charges against the Empire star were dropped days before the city sent the letter. At the time, the Cook County State's Attorney's office told E! News, "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."

This article was originally published on Thu, April 11, 2019, 6: 11p.m.