‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett has insisted that he is innocent while apologizing to cast and crew on the set of Empire.
TheNewsGuru reports that the actor was charged with filing a false police report over his attack in Chicago, that took place at the end of January, and has now been granted a $100,000 bail in a court hearing. He returned to work on Empire on Thursday, but filming had to be postponed – resuming later that day – as Jussie emotionally apologised to those involved with the show.
According to TMZ, Jussie stressed his ‘innocence’ to cast and crew, apologizing for the impact his arrest has had on them all.
He supposedly said: ‘I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this.’
Jussie has been granted a $100,000 following his arrest .
He is believed to have left the set following his apology, but later returned to finish filming for his scene. It follows reports the star has had his scenes cut in Empire’s season finale due to the ongoing investigation into his attack.
Jussie was attacked by two masked men in Chicago, with reports stating his attackers had ‘beaten him up, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him’ while hurling racial and homophobic slurs at Jussie.
The 36-year-old reported the hate crime to police and two men were arrested, but later released without charging and Jussie became a suspect, following claims he had ‘orchestrated’ the attack.
Smollett has been charged with filing a false police report and disorderly conduct.