Rahm Emanuel wants Jussie Smollett to write Chicago a $130,000 check that says 'I'm accountable for the hoax'

Rahm Emanuel
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A still-fuming Rahm Emanuel on Thursday said Empire star Jussie Smollett owes the city of Chicago an apology — and a check.

The Chicago mayor, who for the past three days has been blasting Smollett and the prosecutors who dropped all of the charges against him, said the actor should pay back the money spent on his investigation. Chicago police spent weeks investigating Smollett's claim that he was the victim of a hate crime, only to conclude that he orchestrated the crime himself. Smollett has maintained his innocence, and all charges against him were dropped earlier this week.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.