A special prosecutor will examine the decision to dismiss charges against Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A judge in Chicago has just ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor to examine the Jussie Smollett case.

Judge Michael Toomin concluded on Friday that Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx was not legally permitted to place her top deputy in charge of the investigation into the Empire actor when she stepped back from it, the Chicago Tribune reports, and he ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor to review the case. Toomin said Foxx, who said she was recusing herself from the investigation but did not formally do so, gave her deputy a "fictitious office" without "legal existence," The New York Times reports.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
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.