Smollett, 39, is scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon in Cook County in Chicago to hear his fate after a jury convicted him in December on five of six felony counts.
****This story has been updated****
During his trial, the actor testified in his own defense, maintaining his story that two masked men wearing hats bearing former President Donald Trump’s “MAGA” motto assaulted him on a street and put a noose around his neck.
“There was no hoax,” Smollett testified.
Judge James Linn is allowing news cameras into Thursday’s hearing, in which Smollett is expected to be granted an opportunity to speak. —ABC
While Thursday’s sentencing hearing could mark the end of Smollett’s criminal case, two federal lawsuits tied to this case are still proceeding.
In one suit, the city is seeking to recoup $130,000 that was spent on police overtime costs incurred during the initial “hate crime” investigation.
Another suit was filed against former Smollett attorney Mark Geragos and current Smollett attorney Tina Glandian by Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo — brothers who were star witnesses for the prosecution in Smollett’s criminal trial.
On Jan 29, 2019, Smollett reported to police that he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack. Smollett told police that he was targeted by two males who yelled slurs while one punched him in the face and another put bleach on him and a rope around his neck.
*****UPDATE****
Smollett received 30 months of felony probation, with the first 150 days spent in jail, for his crimes.
In addition to his sentence, Smollett will pay $120,106 in restitution and receive the maximum fine of $25,000, Linn ordered.
