CNN is reporting a legal setback for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett Tuesday evening, as a federal judge has refused to dismiss Chicago’s lawsuit against him. Back in April, the City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Smollett to recoup the $130,000 in overtime pay put in the fine the MAGA-hat wearing attackers who made Smollett the victim of a “modern-day lynching,” according to Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris.

A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the City of Chicago against actor Jussie Smollett, court documents showhttps://t.co/0haztKfWBg pic.twitter.com/FLDDxDRYQJ — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) October 22, 2019

CNN reports:

Tuesday, US District Judge Virginia Kendall denied Smollett’s request to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed to the discovery phase. William J. Quinlan, an attorney representing Smollett, said Tuesday the court’s decision was not surprising and that his client expects to be “vindicated” once he shares his side of the story. “Mr. Smollett has always maintained his innocence and is eager to have the complete facts of the case come out. He looks forward to taking depositions and otherwise bringing to light many of the facts that have been overlooked in the court of public opinion to date. Mr. Smollett is confident that once the full story is available he will be vindicated,” Quinlan said.

We’re eager to have the complete facts of the case come out as well; those surveillance videos of Smollett’s alleged attackers buying red caps and rope certainly were entertaining.

Good. I hope he goes to jail. — CannabisKing (@CannabisKing14) October 22, 2019

He should be in prison — AJ (@TheMetsAreCursd) October 22, 2019

Jussie……go away please. — Uncle Daddy's Friend (@daddy_friend) October 22, 2019

Jussie should pay them and close the book on this chapter. — James Ault (@JamesAult4) October 22, 2019

He is still alive? Harris and Booker told me he was lynched. — Charged Neutron (@fusion_allusion) October 22, 2019

He needs to go to jail. Just like the rest of us would. — Clifford Gibbens (@GibbensClifford) October 22, 2019

A victim, that man is not. — Matthew Frank Kot (@1SquadUnderGod) October 22, 2019

He's an embarrassment and a joke, he better serve time for this. All that time wasted when others could have used the police resources for real crimes happening. ??? — Shandeda Smith (@ShandedaSmith) October 22, 2019

He’s a deadbeat all the way. — Jeff Brock (@jeffbrock58) October 22, 2019

He needs his ass sued. There are victims of real hate crimes who won’t be believed because of what he did — The Iconic APRIL (@aprilbrucker) October 22, 2019

Eh, after what he orchestrated, he deserves whatever he gets. — Adami (@Adami39906858) October 22, 2019

Put his ass in jail — Deplorable Jim (@Jejf41Jim) October 22, 2019

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