Taxpayer costs could mount with appeal expected in Jussie Smollett case

[December 11, 2021]  By Greg Bishop

(The Center Square) – Costs could continue to mount for Illinois taxpayers after Thursday’s guilty verdicts in actor Jussie Smollett's case.

Smollett was convicted on five of six charges that he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself and lied to Chicago police about it. Smollett's attorneys are mounting an appeal that could go to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Smollett told Chicago police he was the victim of a hate crime in 2019. Police found out Smollet paid Nigerian brothers to stage a beating that included a noose.

Special Prosecutor Dan Webb was appointed to the case upon request by a judge after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Fox dropped the initial charges in 2019. The trial was delayed because of the pandemic. But, after a week and a half of testimony, which included Smollett taking the stand, a jury convicted Smollet on five of six counts.

After securing guilty verdicts Thursday, Webb told reporters that Smollet's case cost taxpayers more than $100,000 for 3,500 hours of police investigating a fake crime.

“He’s compounded his misconduct in this city and we’ll let the judge decide what to do,” Webb said.

A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.

Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, maintained Smollett’s innocence, promising an appeal, which could raise costs for taxpayers.

Former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves court during his trial for six counts of disorderly conduct on suspicion of making false reports to police, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska

“It’s not on anyone to say ‘Mr. Smollett, you shouldn't waste resources by pursuing this case any further,’” Uche said. “Of course he should because that’s his guilt and innocence on his line and we believe his innocence.”

Uche said he has confidence in the Illinois appellate courts and the Illinois Supreme Court.

Uche questioned why Webb was brought in to second guess Foxx.

“Why was so much money and resources spent re-prosecuting this case when we have thousands and thousands of people dying, hundreds of people dying in Chicago from gun violence?” Uche said.

Acknowledging there may be some out-of-pocket costs, Webb told reporters his firm prosecuted the case for free.

“If you’re going to do this then just do it for the public,” Webb said. “I was asked for my firm to try to help restore the lack of confidence in the criminal justice system because of what happened here.”