“Empire” star Jussie Smollett has been charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago, The Chicago Tribune reports. Chicago PD spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the news in a statement, adding that “detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest.”

On January 29, it was reported that Smollett had been attacked in Chicago by two men in what was an apparent hate crime. On February 13, two men (identified as brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo) were arrested and questioned by police in connection with the alleged attack. Today, after the men were released from police custody without criminal charges on Friday (February 15), Chicago Police announced that Smollett is a suspect in a criminal investigation for filing a false police report (a felony).

It was originally reported that Smollett’s alleged attackers called him homophobic and racist slurs, put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him, and yelled “This is MAGA country” before leaving the scene. Earlier today, CBS Chicago reported on video footage that showed the Osundairos purchasing ski masks, red hats, and other items days before the alleged attack.

Following the alleged attack, Smollett’s family released a statement, calling the incident an “inhumane act of domestic terrorism.” Smollett released his own statement earlier this month claiming: “As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers, and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident.”

On February 14, Smollett discussed the reported attack on “Good Morning America,” stating, “I’m pissed off. It’s the attackers, but it’s also the attacks.”

Pitchfork has contacted representatives for the Chicago Police Department and Jussie Smollett for further comment.

This article was originally published on February 20 at 5:41 p.m. Eastern. It was last updated on February 20 at 7:56 p.m. Eastern.

https://pitchfork.com/news/jussie-smollett-named-suspect-for-allegedly-filing-false-police-report