Jussie Smollett news: 'Empire' actor's attorneys argue for Chicago lawsuit to be moved to federal court

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Thursday, July 4, 2019
Smollett's attorneys argue for Chicago lawsuit against actor to be moved to federal court
Jussie Smollett wants the lawsuit that the city of Chicago filed against him moved from state court to federal court.

CHICAGO -- Jussie Smollett wants the lawsuit that the city of Chicago filed against him moved from state court to federal court.



His lawyers argue that would be the proper venue since the actor is a California resident.



Chicago police said that Smollett staged an attack on himself last January in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. The city is suing to recover the cost of the investigation.



Jussie Smollett case: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on 'Empire' actor


"Empire" actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police in January that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. There have been dozens of twists and turns since then.


Police and prosecutors said Smollett orchestrated the attack with the help of two brothers. One brother was an extra on "Empire" and the other was Smollett's personal trainer.



All charges against Smollett were dropped in late February in exchange for community service and forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.



A Cook County judge ruled last month to appoint a special prosecutor in the case. The judge questioned Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's decision to appoint a deputy to oversee the Smollett case, with the judge saying she did not have the authority to do so.



Also last month, Chicago police released nearly 70 hours of video connected to the Smollett case.



Chicago police released their investigative files and video Monday of the alleged staged attack on "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett in late January.


Previous coverage:


Chicago police release investigative files, video of alleged staged attack on 'Empire' actor


Judge orders special prosecutor to review case; 'Empire' actor could be re-charged


RELATED: 911 calls released of Jussie Smollett reporting alleged attack


RELATED: Lee Daniels says Jussie Smollett not returning for final season of 'Empire'


RELATED: Cook Co. State's Attorney's Office releases documents in Jussie Smollett case


RELATED: Chicago police release 400 pages of Jussie Smollett case files


RELATED: Judge rules to unseal records in Jussie Smollett case


RELATED: 'Empire' will go 1 more season, Smollett's future is unclear


RELATED: Judge asked to recuse himself from petition to appoint special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett case


RELATED: Jussie Smollett's contract extended, no plans for character to return to 'Empire'


RELATED: Osundairo brothers file defamation lawsuit against Jussie Smollett's attorneys


RELATED: Kim Foxx receives death threats after Jussie Smollett charges dropped


RELATED: Kim Foxx's chief spokesperson resigns from State's Attorney's Office


RELATED: 2 top staffers leaving Kim Foxx's State's Attorney's Office


RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Kim Foxx's texts and emails raise more questions about recusal


Kim Foxx texts show she thought number of Jussie Smollett charges 'excessive'



Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asks for review of how Jussie Smollett case was handled


RELATED: Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asks for review of how Jussie Smollett case was handled


RELATED: City sues Jussie Smollett for cost of investigating alleged staged attack


RELATED: Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx lets Derrion Albert killer off the hook


RELATED: Kim Foxx says 'this is personal' about calls for her to resign


RELATED: Jussie Smollett attorney responds to Chicago's civil suit threat


RELATED: Taraji P. Henson weighs in on 'Empire' co-star Jussie Smollett's case


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


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


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


RELATED: Chris Rock rips an absent Jussie Smollett at the NAACP Image Awards


RELATED: Thousands referred for alternative prosecution by Cook County prosecutors haven't completed process


RELATED: Jussie Smollett's surprise deal raises new questions


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


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


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


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


RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: 'Pain and anger' around 'Empire' in recent weeks, Lee Daniels says


RELATED: FOP accuses Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx of interfering in Jussie Smollett investigation



RELATED: Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct charges


RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Texts shed light on why State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself


RELATED: Jussie Smollett appears in court for hearing; Cameras allowed for Thursday hearing


RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Brothers 'taken advantage of' by Smollett, attorney says


RELATED: Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury


RELATED: Brothers reportedly involved in Jussie Smollett alleged hoax release statement expressing 'regret'


RELATED: Jussie Smollett's check to brothers obtained by ABC News


RELATED: Jussie Smollett's character to be removed from 'Empire', producers say


RELATED: What's next for Jussie Smollett? Possible big police bill


RELATED: Jussie Smollett alleged hoax may cast doubt on real hate crimes, advocates fear


RELATED: Jussie Smollett out on bond after being accused of staging attack


RELATED: Jussie Smollett charged with disorderly conduct for filing false police report, prosecutors say


RELATED: Cook Co. State's Attorney Kim Foxx recuses herself from Jussie Smollett investigation


RELATED: Brothers told police Smollett was upset threatening letter didn't get enough attention, staged attack


RELATED: Activist calls for Smollett's arrest, believes actor lied about attack


RELATED: Brothers tell police that Jussie Smollett paid them to stage attack, official says


RELATED: Sources: Police investigating whether Smollett staged attack with help of others


RELATED: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on Jussie Smollett


RELATED: Jussie Smollett breaks silence on Chicago attack


RELATED: 'Empire' actor's family releases statement on attack, pictures of possible persons of interest released


RELATED: Photos show potential persons of interest in 'Empire' actor attack, police say


RELATED: 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett attacked in Chicago in possible hate crime, police say

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