# Jussie Smollett (Empire) alleged hate crime attack. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706 "2019-02-17T04:04:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/101 "2019-02-21T16:11:27Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Most criminals are caught because they are stupid, and they think, based on fictional media portrayals, that the cops are stupid. I’d say he got caught because _his crimes_ were based on fictional media portrayals of _criminals_. From the ransom note-looking threat with the cut out letters, to the assailants dressed in their villainous uniforms, to the unnatural tough guy dialog. It’s all just bad fiction. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/102 "2019-02-21T17:16:36Z")
> [@planetcory](#): > > I’d say he got caught because _his crimes_ were based on fictional media portrayals of _criminals_. > > From the ransom note-looking threat with the cut out letters, to the assailants dressed in their villainous uniforms, to the unnatural tough guy dialog. It’s all just bad fiction. Good actor, shitty writer. Where’s a good script doctor when you need them? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/103 "2019-02-21T17:23:06Z")
Now, I’m seeing reports he paid the brothers WITH A CHECK. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/104 "2019-02-21T17:25:53Z")
How badly did he get paid on that show? He couldn’t even swing the whole $4000 at once. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/105 "2019-02-21T17:29:27Z")
[Story here](https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-surrenders-disorderly-conduct-staged-attack/) I am jaw dropped speechless. Who writes checks anymore? This is sounding more and more like a publicity stunt. A very bad one. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/106 "2019-02-21T17:31:42Z")
There’s a timeline of the investigation at this CNN link. > **[Live updates: Jussie Smollett arrested](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/jussie-smollett-arrested-chicago/index.html)** > > "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett faces a felony charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report claiming two men attacked him last month. Follow here for the latest. The two brothers left for a trip home to Nigeria after the staged attack and returned Feb 13. Police waited and arrested them after they returned. They soon released these men were witnesses. Overall, the investigation seems pretty routine. There’s a lot of video evidence of the men’s movements after the staged attack. Money isn’t mentioned in the CNN article. But I’d bet there’s a money trail from Smollett to these men. Someone paid for those airline tickets. 😉 Smollett may have used a cc. **update** New reports say a check was given to the men. The airline tickets may still be a cc charge. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/107 "2019-02-21T17:38:39Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [Story here](https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-surrenders-disorderly-conduct-staged-attack/) > > I am jaw dropped speechless. Who writes checks anymore? While nowhere near as popular as they once were, they still are reasonably common in my experience. I’m 43 and run a business that takes check or electronic payments (average payment is in the couple thousand dollar range). Almost all my clients are younger than I am. About half still pay in check. I actually have two personal checks sitting on my desk right now. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/108 "2019-02-21T17:53:13Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > How badly did he get paid on that show? He couldn’t even swing the whole $4000 at once. One of the possible motives I’ve read is that he was dissatisfied with his salary. Perhaps with good reason? (although I admit I’m unclear on how he thought the hoax letter & staged “attack” would lead to improvement on this front) ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/109 "2019-02-21T17:59:08Z")
The most recent elements of the story are giving this almost like a second twist – how could somebody be THIS bad at faking a crime? It’s almost like he was begging to be caught, and that is itself baffling. “Don’t pay for crimes with a personal check” seems like a lesson people should just KNOW implicitly. This has gone from “C-List celebrity trying to drum up a scandal for pity and attention” and veered straight off into “America’s Dumbest Criminals” territory. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/110 "2019-02-21T18:13:10Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > The most recent elements of the story are giving this almost like a second twist – how could somebody be THIS bad at faking a crime? It’s almost like he was begging to be caught, and that is itself baffling. “Don’t pay for crimes with a personal check” seems like a lesson people should just KNOW implicitly. This has gone from “C-List celebrity trying to drum up a scandal for pity and attention” and veered straight off into “America’s Dumbest Criminals” territory. Actors make poor writers. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/111 "2019-02-21T18:20:07Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > One of the possible motives I’ve read is that he was dissatisfied with his salary. Perhaps with good reason? (although I admit I’m unclear on how he thought the hoax letter & staged “attack” would lead to improvement on this front) I know it’s weird to quote myself, but [here](https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/empire-star-jussie-smolletts-net-worth-compared-to-his-co-stars) is an examination of the topic of Smollett’s financial situation: > [@](#): > > While Smollett’s current “Empire” salary is unknown, according a Variety report from 2016, he was making significantly less than his co-stars. > > It was reported that he earned around $20,000 per episode, while co-stars Terrance Howard and Taraji P. Henson were getting paid around $175,000 per episode. > > Smollett’s salary was reported in line with Howard and Henson’s on-screen children, Trai Byers and Bryshere Y. Gray. > > Smollett’s overall net worth is also far below his co-stars, according to data from [GoBankingRates.com](http://GoBankingRates.com). ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/112 "2019-02-21T18:23:37Z")
The whole thing has become theatre of the absurd. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/113 "2019-02-21T18:24:37Z")
Van Jones [thinks Smollett is like Jackie Robinson](https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1098623887678394368), “beloved”, and “an icon”. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/114 "2019-02-21T18:27:11Z")
Just when it seemed this story couldn’t get any stupider… ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/115 "2019-02-21T18:30:47Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I know it’s weird to quote myself, but [here](https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/empire-star-jussie-smolletts-net-worth-compared-to-his-co-stars) is an examination of the topic of Smollett’s financial situation: Damn. Only $20,000 for about 10 hours or so of work per week? I knew homophobia and racism in 2019’s America was savage, but, …damn. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/116 "2019-02-21T18:31:41Z")
The smack down by Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson this morning was epic. No polite, politically correct statements. No equivocating, no hesitations. Eddie be pissed. [https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-arrested-in-chicago-for-allegedly-staging-hate-crime-police/](https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-arrested-in-chicago-for-allegedly-staging-hate-crime-police/) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/117 "2019-02-21T18:35:30Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > The whole thing has become theatre of the absurd. Yep, I’m surprised Smollett didn’t hire his stunt double to take the punches for him. 😃 He only paid these men $3500, with a check. What a cheap skate. Didn’t early reports indicate Smollett didn’t want to report this to police? I seem to recall his manager persuaded him. That would explain why no effort was made to hide the connection between these men. They didn’t plan for anything more than reporters looking at the incident. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/118 "2019-02-21T20:09:11Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Now, I’m seeing reports he paid the brothers WITH A CHECK. Giving bank information to Nigerians is never a good idea. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/119 "2019-02-21T20:12:36Z")
$100,000 bond Higher than I expected for filing a false police report. But, he shouldn’t have any trouble raising the cash. Shodan’s on fire today. That quips very good. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706/120 "2019-02-21T20:19:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yep, I’m surprised Smollett didn’t hire his stunt double to take the punches for him. 😃 > > He only paid these men $3500, with a check. What a cheap skate. > > Didn’t early reports indicate Smollett didn’t want to report this to police? I seem to recall his manager persuaded him. > > That would explain why no effort was made to hide the connection between these men. They didn’t plan for anything more than reporters looking at the incident. Always stick to the plan chums. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-empire-alleged-hate-crime-attack/829706.md?page=7)