The city of Chicago is seeking $130,000 for money expended on the investigation in Jussie Smollett's attack case. The city law department is seeking "immediate payment" of the money spent, and if it's not repaid within 7 days, the Department of Law may prosecute Smollett "for making a false statement to the City" or "pursue any other legal remedy available at law."
Mayor Rahm Emanuel commented on the situation, stating, "Given that he doesn't feel any sense of contrition and remorse, my recommendation is when he writes check in the memo section [of the check], he can put the word 'I'm accountable for the hoax."
Emanuel added, "Where is the accountability in the system? You cannot have – because of a person's position – one set of rules applies to them and another set of rules apply to everyone else.
"Our officers did hard work day in and day out, countless hours working to unwind what actually happened that night. The city saw its reputation dragged through the mud...It's not just the officers' work, but the work of the grand jury that made a decision based on only a sliver of the evidence [presented]. Because of the judge's decision, none of that evidence will ever be made public. [This case] sends a clear message that if you're in a position of influence and power you'll be treated one way and if you're not you'll be treated another way."
Jussie's attorney's responded by stating, "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."
Source: CNN
