Jussie Smollett Indicted On 16 Felony Counts In Alleged Hate Crime Hoax

Embattled “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts by a grand jury — worsening his legal troubles amid allegations that he lied to cops about a phony hate crime attack, according to a report Friday.

The 36-year-old actor was hit with the counts Thursday for allegedly filing a false police report, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office told Chicago’s ABC 7. He was originally charged with just one felony count of disorderly conduct on Feb. 20.

In late January, Smollett, who is gay, claimed he was attacked by two masked men who hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him and put his neck in a noose. He also said his attackers poured what he believed was bleach over him.

He is suspected of staging the hate crime and lying to cops, police have said.

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