The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Chicago's top prosecutor Kim Foxx has been subpoenaed to appear in court by a retired appellate judge who's pushing for a special prosecutor to investigate the handling of the case against actor Jussie Smollett.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Sheila O'Brien also subpoenaed Foxx's top deputy and requested that Smollett appear at a hearing on her request.

Foxx was harshly criticized when her office announced it was dropping charges against Smollett that accused the black, gay actor of staging a racist and anti-gay attack on himself in downtown Chicago.

Related: Chicago prosecutor Kim Foxx suggests race is involved in Jussie Smollett dismissal backlash

Foxx has defended the decision to drop the charges and says she welcomes an independent investigation.

Related: President Trump slams 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett as a 'third-rate actor'