“How can an individual who’s been embraced by the city of Chicago turn around and slap everyone in this city in the face by making these false claims?” (Former Chicago Police Superintendent, Eddie Johnson/WGN)
Several years ago, I was having coffee with detectives in their office. There was a thick file on the desk. I thought it might be some high-profile murder case. The sergeant told me it was the Chris Farley Death Investigation file. A comedian on SNL, Farley died of a cocaine and morphine overdose in his Michigan Avenue apartment. I had seen thinner files on major murder cases.
The brass did not want another John Belushi event when the news media, especially the tabloids, were digging up information and publishing it for the hungry, drooling, rubes, and bark chewers who inhabit this country.
Every time a piece about Farley came out, detectives were assigned to buy the paper or magazine, investigate the reportage, and submit a report. The file was so thick due to the contents of the various publications.
This brings us to Jussie Smollett, AKA Maximus Mendax. The Chicago Police Department took the case very seriously, even if at the beginning the case stunk to high heaven. Can you imagine the reporting officers calling in to check the whereabouts of Kanye West? (A proclaimed Trump/MAGA supporter at the time)
As the story spread throughout the media world and Smollett’s story quickly fell apart, the department continued to investigate, with detectives and police officers working overtime.
Kim Foxx stepped in and essentially dropped the charges as a favor to her Hollywood pals, a political powerhouse attorney, and the Smollett family. Foxx refuses to prosecute most people for felonies, lest their families are harmed for the actions of the felons.
Today Smollett faced his punishment.
“At the conclusion of a three-year firestorm of allegations he faked a hate crime attack on himself, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 30 months of probation on Thursday for his conviction in the hoax — and he must spend the first 150 days of the sentence in Cook County Jail.” (Chicago Tribune)
Smollett’s hoax not only wasted police resources. It severely damaged the LGBQT+ community, people of color, celebrities, and others who may report hate crimes with unusual circumstances. Law enforcement may spend more resources than necessary to ensure claims of hate crimes are not a hoax.
No matter how severe or lenient, whatever penalty he received will not repair his damage to hate crime victims and investigations. Kim Foxx should be in for the severest and harshest criticism for refusing to prosecute Smollett. She showed her disdain for hate crime hoaxes.
As seen in the video above, Smollett delivered an award-winning performance stating over and over he is not suicidal. Does he think he is Jeffery Epstein?
Smollett does not deserve to live in our city. When he is released from jail, he should be shunned wherever he goes. Smollett should be humiliated to the point he leaves town for good. It is a pity we cannot legally deport him.
Smollett is now a convicted felon. There are a host of things he can no longer do. His reputation is in tatters. He brought this on himself and deserves whatever adverse consequences come his way. This sentence is an example to others who may want to perpetrate a hate crime hoax. The sentence is not retribution, as Smollett’s family and supporters claim. It is justice.
Kim Foxx claimed she will address her actions on this case after it is over. Well, it is done. I fully expect an Academy Award winning performance with some stand-up comedy thrown in for good measure.