Chicago will sue actor Jussie Smollett for the costs of police overtime spent investigating his claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, which prosecutors say were false, a city official said on Thursday.
The lawsuit was being prepared after Mr Smollett, 36, refused a demand by the city for $130,000, spokesman for the Department of Law Bill McCaffrey said.
"Mr Smollett has refused to reimburse the City of Chicago for the cost of police overtime spent investigating his false police report on January 29, 2019," he said.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks during a news conference after prosecutors abruptly dropped all charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. Source: AP
"The Law Department is now drafting a civil complaint that will be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook Country."
Smollett, who is black and gay, started a social media fire storm by telling police in January that two apparent supporters of US President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him.
But the actor, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama “Empire,” was charged in February with staging the incident himself and filing a false police report.
Last week prosecutors dropped all charges against Smollett, infuriating police and outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Prosecutors said they stood by the accusation, but an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome.
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves a Chicago courthouse last month after prosecutors dropped all charges against him. Source: Chicago Sun-Times
The case file was sealed by a Chicago judge, which critics suggested was evidence of a cover-up.
Reuters could not reach the actor's criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, for comment.
On Monday, some 300 people, including off-duty Chicago police officers, took to the streets calling on Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to resign over her handling of the case.
Dueling protests from the Fraternal Order of Police and Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. Source: AP
Foxx, who recused herself from the case before charges were filed, citing conversations she had with one of his relatives, has defended her actions and those of her prosecutors.
Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of "Empire" this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime.
Fox executives have not said if he will return should the show be renewed for another year.
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