Evie Fordham on April 17, 2019
The Chicago Tribune obtained text messages that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx sent to her top deputy about actor Jussie Smollett’s indictment after Foxx recused herself.
“Sooo … I’m recused, but when people accuse us of overcharging cases…16 counts on a class 4 (felony) becomes exhibit A,” Foxx said in a March 8 text message to Cook County prosecutor Joseph Magats, The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday night.
Smollett, known for his role on the show “Empire,” was accused of orchestrating a fake hate crime against himself in Chicago in January. He claimed that two white men attacked him while he was walking home from a restaurant late at night. Smollett, who is gay, told police that the men poured a bleach-like substance on him and tied a rope around his neck like a noose while shouting racist and homophobic slurs.
Foxx compared Smollett’s situation to that of R. Kelly, whose case was also handled by Foxx’s office. Kelly pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of criminal sexual abuse.
“Pedophile with 4 victims 10 counts. Washed up celeb who lied to cops, 16 (counts),” Foxx texted Magats according to The Chicago Tribune. “Just because we can charge something doesn’t mean we should.”
A spokeswoman for Foxx told The Chicago Tribune that Foxx continued to communicate with Magats about Smollett after her recusal “to discuss reviewing office policies to assure consistencies in our charging and our use of appropriate charging authority.”
Foxx also texted Magats after Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who has criticized Smollett publicly, called her about the dopped charges.
Support Conservative Voices!
Sign up to receive the latest political news, insight, and commentary delivered directly to your inbox.
“Eddie just called. [He] needed to know how to answer questions from press,” Foxx wrote according to The Chicago Tribune. She said she told Johnson that Smollett’s completed community service and forfeited $10,000 in bond money played into the decision.
Foxx’s deputies were surprised by the widespread reaction to Smollett’s charges being dropped, the released text messages show according to The Chicago Tribune.
“Just wish I could have anticipated the magnitude of this response and planned a bit better!” Assistant State’s Attorney Risa Lanier, the case’s lead prosecutor, texted Magats hours after the charges were dropped.
Lanier also surmised that Smollett’s team tipped off reporters to come to the courtroom after the charges were dropped.
“It appears as if Jussie’s press person may have notified the press,” Lanier texted spokespeople according to The Chicago Tribune.
Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard is investigating Foxx’s office’s handling of the case at her request, reported NPR.
Follow Evie on Twitter @eviefordham.
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com
Christine Blasey Ford Makes Time’s List of 100 Most Influential PeopleThe opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
Agreed !!!! ########
Agreed !!!! ########
Kim Foxx is quite advanced on the big city DA learning curve:
When they turn on the heat, play your Race Card.
Of course, she’s a negro Chicago thug, just like the rest of those people up there. There will be no justice as long as the negros are taking care of the negros.
Of course, she’s a negro Chicago thug, just like the rest of those people up there. There will be no justice as long as the negros are taking care of the negros.
michael just wanted to call and confirm obumboy and smollets date for that night, after they paid to get him off.
michael just wanted to call and confirm obumboy and smollets date for that night, after they paid to get him off.
Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff calls up the state’s attorney (most likely after a phone call from the Obama’s,) the state’s attorney hands off the case to her assistant, and the assistant gives Smollett the deal of the century, total BS, all because he is black.
Read more at http://americanactionnews.com/articles/obama-administration-officials-linked-to-jussie-smollett-debacle#ghiQrrhmvif1GAly.99
Gotta give him credit. He’s the first American to scam Nigerians.
Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff calls up the state’s attorney (most likely after a phone call from the Obama’s,) the state’s attorney hands off the case to her assistant, and the assistant gives Smollett the deal of the century, total BS, all because he is black.
Read more at http://americanactionnews.com/articles/obama-administration-officials-linked-to-jussie-smollett-debacle#ghiQrrhmvif1GAly.99
Gotta give him credit. He’s the first American to scam Nigerians.
You mean what you DON’T pay for.
You mean what you DON’T pay for.
It’s Chicago. You get what you pay for!!
YES……funny how they give us funny names, right?
I hope she is arrested ! Send her to prison with him !!!!
I hope she is arrested ! Send her to prison with him !!!!
She needs to be fired. Also , I heard she might be arrested.
She needs to be fired. Also , I heard she might be arrested.
AMEN !!!!!
AMEN !!!!!
They could conceivably charge him with a terroristic act.
Class 4 overcharge??? No. “Washed up celebrity” yes.”
This was a big deal. This A-Lister exploited his Hollywood status to hype a phony hate crime attacking all Americans supporting the President of the United States. It was a race crime in itself. There’s nothing “small” about that.
If there’s any possibility of federal charges, I hope the FBI will pursue Jussie Smollett all the way to his new digs in Hawaii.
they are only hate crimes, if you are black, gay, muslim, or democrat, all others are nothing.
they are only hate crimes, if you are black, gay, muslim, or democrat, all others are nothing.
YOU ARE 1000% CORRECT !!!!
Absolutely CORRECT !!!
Absolutely CORRECT !!!
If a Caucasian was let off, the City of Chicago would be burning!
charges would never have been dropped on a Caucasian faking a hate crime. These people are despicable.
charges would never have been dropped on a Caucasian faking a hate crime. These people are despicable.
What a crock, the potential reaction should have had no influence at all this fake hate crime cost over $130,000 to investigate he was guilty the 2 guys he paid admitted that he paid them. Why should Chicago PD waste time investigating any hate crimes in the future knowing that they’ll just get thrown out?
What a crock, the potential reaction should have had no influence at all this fake hate crime cost over $130,000 to investigate he was guilty the 2 guys he paid admitted that he paid them. Why should Chicago PD waste time investigating any hate crimes in the future knowing that they’ll just get thrown out?