DISGRACED Jussie Smollett was slammed by Chicago police today for "taking advantage of the pain and anger of racism" in order to promote his career.

The Empire actor is currently in custody and could face three years in jail after he was sensationally charged with staging an elaborate street assault so he could play victim.

10 Chicago police released a mug shot of the shamed actor Credit: AP:Associated Press

10 Smollett said he received a threatening hate letter warning 'you will die black f*g' but cops say he sent it himself

He has also been accused of sending himself a note containing a cartoon figure strung up by a noose and cut-out letters spelling: "You will die, black f*g".

Smollett claimed the note was a threat before two Trump fans in MAGA hats shouted racist and homophobic abuse, beat him up and left him with a rope round his neck.

Today cop chief Eddie Johnson said the actor faked the whole thing because he wanted to boost his profile and pay packet.

He said: "Smollett attempted to gain attention by sending a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language.

"When that didn't work, Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack.

"This morning not only do I come to you as the superintendent of Chicago police department, but also as a black man who has spent his whole life living in the city.

"This announcement today recognises that Empire actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.

"I'm left hanging my head asking why.

"Why would anyone, especially an African American man use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations.

"How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile.

"I'm offended by what has happened and I'm also angry."

Jussie Smollett leaves court charged with filing false police report after claiming to be victim of homophobic attack

CCTV BOMBSHELL

President Trump tweeted today: "@jussiesmollett - what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA."

Cops grew suspicious as holes began to appear in the actor's story following the alleged attack in Chicago last month and a tearful TV interview as he told of his ordeal.

CCTV footage emerged showing two brothers with links to Smollett buying ski masks, bandanas and red hats just a day before the "attack".

In a sensational development on Wednesday night, Chicago Police announced Smollett had been charged with disorderly conduct and filing a false police report.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Twitter: "Felony criminal charges have been approved by @CookCountySAO against Jussie Smollett for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report.

"Detectives will make contact with his legal team to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest."

This morning Guglielmi added: "Jussie Smollet is under arrest and in custody of detectives."

Smollett is due in court later today. He could face up to three years in prison if convicted under Illinois law.

Responding to the charge, Smollett's lawyers Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson said they planned to mount an "aggressive defence".

In a joint statement, they said: "Like any other citizen, Mr Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked.

"Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defence."

CELEB SUPPORT

Empire extras Ola Osundairo, 27, and brother Abel, 25, were allegedly paid more than £3,000 by the actor to attack him.

On Wednesday they appeared before a Grand Jury - which decides whether to bring charges in big cases - for two and a half hours to testify against Smollett.

The brothers' lawyer Gloria Schmidt later told reporters they laid out how Smollett "put them up to the fake assault", TMZ reported.

The shocking twist in the case comes just days after A-list celebs flooded social media with their support for the 36-year-old.

Brit catwalk queen Naomi Campbell — who starred in hip-hop drama Empire — called on Chicago’s mayor to catch the “despicable people” who had committed this “act of hate”.

Oscar-winner Viola Davis also shared a photo of the actor on Instagram, saying: “OMG!! This is why the LGBTQ community continue to fight to be seen and protected against hate!

“We ALL have to take this racist and homophobic act of violence very personally! My arms are around you @jussiesmollett. You are loved!”

And TV host Ellen DeGeneres, referring to an interview when the actor revealed he was gay, said: “Four years ago, @JussieSmollett came out on my show. I’m sending him and his family so much love today.”

I noticed the rope around my neck and I started screaming: ‘There is a f***ing rope around my neck Jussie Smollett

Smollett, who was treated in hospital, had initially told police that his "attackers" were yelling racial and homophobic slurs.

And he claimed they made reference to "MAGA" - the “Make America Great Again” election catchphrase used by President Trump.

Last week a tearful Smollett, who also starred in 1992 kids’ movie The Mighty Ducks, told Good Morning America he was attacked at 2am while speaking on the phone to his manager.

He said: "I was crossing the intersection . . . I heard ‘Empire!’ I don’t answer to Empire. My name ain’t Empire.”

Smollett said he heard one of them utter a racial slur, and added: “So I turned around and said, ‘What the f*** did you just say to me?’ I see the attacker masked.”

Getting emotional, Smollett continued: “He said: ‘This MAGA country n*****’. And he punched me in the face so I punched his ass back.”



DOUBTS SWIRL

Smollett said a second person kicked him in his back. They threw a bleach-like substance in his face and tied a rope round his neck, he claimed.

Choking up, Smollett told the interviewer: “I will never be the man that this did not happen to. I am forever changed.”

But doubts about the authenticity of the attack were quickly raised after the actor refused to hand over his phone to detectives.

Cops were also curious as to why the rope was still around Smollett's neck when they arrived on the scene 30 minutes later.

He also asked responding officers to turn off their body cameras and come into his apartment — because he said he did not want neighbours witnessing the scene.

But frustrated Smollett insisted: "It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot more.”

His story unravelled after cops arrested two black men with connections to him.

Ola — who had worked as an extra on Empire — and Abel were released when officers revealed new evidence had come to light and they were “eager to speak to” Smollett.

MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS Breaking TERROR ALERT Eiffel Tower EVACUATED by cops after man 'threatens to detonate bomb' COV-ER & OUT Lockdown-free Sweden 'on brink of BEATING Covid after achieving herd immunity' GRINCHES Mum reveals HUGE Xmas gift haul for daughter - but some parents brand kid 'spoilt' Warning HELL HOUNDS Boy, 2, critical after being 'torn apart' by family's pet dogs on his birthday OUT OF THIS WORLD Man transforms into 'alien' after having nose REMOVED & splitting tongue NONE THE WEISER Inside of this house is LAGER than life… CAN you see yourself living here?

Cops are now understood to believe the star paid the men £2,700 to attack him and £390 when they returned from holiday in Nigeria.

Sources told website TMZ the trio even rehearsed the assault.

Following their release last week, the two brothers said: “We are not racist. We are not homophobic, and we are not anti-Trump.”

Empire actor Jussie Smollett details his alleged attack by two men who he says put a 'rope around my neck' in TV interview

10 Tearful Jussie Smollett gave a TV interview claiming he was assaulted by two racist thugs Credit: BackGrid

10 Chief communications officer for Chicago Police tweeted an update over the alleged fake attack

10 Empire director Lee Daniels shared this image of Jussie on Instagram after the attack but deleted it Credit: Twitter

10 Jussie Smollett, second from left, with co-stars from hip-hop drama Empire Credit: AP:Associated Press

10 News of the bizarre twist has made headlines in the US Credit: The Mega Agency

10 Brothers Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo, 27, and Abimbola 'Abel' Osundairo, 25, were held by cops but later released Credit: Instagram

10 Cops released CCTV footage of two suspects after the ‘attack’ in Chicago Credit: AP:Associated Press

10 Jussie plays gay character Jamal Lyon in hit hip-hop drama Empire Credit: Alamy

Cardi B says she's 'disappointed' in Empire actor Jussie Smollett after police sources claim he fabricated a racial and homophobic 'attack'

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.