Jussie Smollett update: Chicago to file civil suit against 'Empire' actor for not paying $130K cost of police investigation

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Thursday is deadline for Jussie Smollett to pay Chicago $130K

Thursday is the deadline for "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett to pay the city of Chicago more than $130,000.

CHICAGO -- "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett has refused to pay the city of Chicago more than $130,000 for the cost of investigating his reported hate crime, the city's law department said Thursday.

Last week, the city sent Smollett a letter demanding the payment for what it cost police to investigate his alleged attack. The letter said he must pay within seven days, but didn't say what would happen if he didn't.

The city's law department said it is now drafting a civil complaint that will be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County in the near future. The city said it will pursue the full measure of damages allowed under the ordinance.

The money the city requested is separate from the $10,000 bond that Smollett forfeited as a condition of the charges against him being dropped.

Read the city's full letter to Smollett's team here

"This is a reasonable and legally justifiable amount to collect to help offset the cost of the investigation," said Bill McCaffrey, a spokesperson for the Department of Buildings.

"Given that he doesn't feel any sense of contrition and remorse, my recommendation is that when he writes the check, in the memo section, he can put the words, 'I'm accountable for the hoax,'" Mayor Rahm Emanuel said last week.

WATCH: Emanuel speaks on what he believes Smollett owes Chicago

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the city is calculating how much it cost to investigate Jussie Smollett's case and will be sending the actor the bill.

Emanuel said he believes Smollett not only cost the city financially, but also damaged Chicago's reputation of being a place that welcomes people of all walks of life.

RELATED: I-TEAM: What's inside CPD's Jussie Smollett investigative file?

Smollett's legal team fired back at Emanuel's comments, issuing a statement saying, "It is the Mayor and the Police Chief who owe Jussie - owe him an apology - for dragging an innocent man's character through the mud. Jussie has paid enough."

Smollett had been charged with 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to police about a January attack in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, which police say Smollett staged on himself because he was unhappy with his "Empire" salary. All charges against him were dropped in exchange for community service and forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.

What exactly happened in court just before the charges were dropped remains unknown as all records pertaining to the case have been sealed.

Previous coverage:

In wake of Jussie Smollett, suburban police chiefs take no confidence stance against State's Attorney Kim Foxx

Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx

Jussie Smollett update: Thousands referred for alternative prosecution by Cook County prosecutors haven't completed process

Jussie Smollett update: City of Chicago asks Jussie Smollett to pay for $130,000 cost of investigation

Jussie Smollett update: What's inside the CPD investigative file?

Jussie Smollett update: FBI reviewing circumstances of Jussie Smollett's charges being dropped, sources confirm

Jussie Smollett update: Charges against 'Empire' actor dropped; 'not an exoneration,' prosecutor says

RELATED: Mayor Emanuel calls decision to drop charges against Smollett 'whitewash of justice'

RELATED: Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett

RELATED: Osundairo brother at center of Jussie Smollett case compete in Chicago boxing match