The Latest: Emanuel: `Whitewash of justice” in Smollett case

CHICAGO (AP) – The Latest on the case against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett (all times local):

12:50 p.m.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling the dropping of charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett “a whitewash of justice.”

The comments Tuesday came after prosecutors dropped charges accusing Smollett of lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago.

Prosecutors haven’t explained why they made the surprise decision and haven’t said if they still maintain Smollett orchestrated the incident.

Smollett told reporters earlier that he’d been “truthful and consistent on every single level since day one.”

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12:10 p.m.

Neither Jussie Smollett nor his attorney have backtracked from his original account that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in January.

The “Empire” actor spoke to reporters Tuesday after a court hearing in which his attorneys say prosecutors dropped all 16 felony counts alleging Smollett staged the attack. Prosecutors haven’t explained why they made the surprise decision and haven’t said if they still maintain Smollett orchestrated the incident.

A minimum requirement for dropping of charges in cases where prosecutors had said the evidence was strong is typically for defendants to accept some responsibility and perhaps even offer an apology.

But outside court, Smollett appeared to concede nothing Tuesday, insisting he’d been “truthful and consistent on every single level since day one.”

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12:05 p.m.

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett says he wants to get back to work and get on with his life.

Smollett spoke to reporters Tuesday after his attorneys said prosecutors dropped felony charges against him during a Chicago court hearing. The actor had been charged with falsely telling police he was attacked in downtown Chicago in January. He says it has been “an incredibly difficult time” and called it “one of the worst of my life.”

Smollett says he wouldn’t bring his family “through a fire like this.” He thanked family and friends for their support. He says he’ll continue to fight for justice and betterment “of marginalized people everywhere.”

Police and prosecutors had said the black and gay actor staged the racial and homophobic attack because he was unhappy with his pay and to promote his career.

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11:20 a.m.

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett says he’s “been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one.”

Smollett made the comment Tuesday after an emergency court hearing where his attorneys say charges alleging he lied to police about attack have been dropped.

Smollett had faced 16 felony counts alleging he lied to police about a racial and homophobic attack against him in January.

Police and prosecutors have said the black and gay actor falsely reported to authorities that he was attacked Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and to promote his career.

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10:55 a.m.

Prosecutors say they believe they’ve reached an “appropriate resolution” in the case against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett.

Attorneys for Smollett said Tuesday that all charges alleging he lied to police about attack have been dropped.

Smollett had faced 16 felony counts alleging he lied to police about a racial and homophobic attack against him in January.

In a statement, prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton offered no detailed explanation.

The statement said, “After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case.”

Smollett had made a $10,000 bond payment to the city to get out of jail after his arrest on the charges.

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10:20 a.m.

Attorneys for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett say charges alleging he lied to police about attack have been dropped.

Smollett attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a Tuesday morning statement that Smollett’s record “has been wiped clean.” Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs.

A spokeswoman for Cook County prosecutors didn’t immediately respond to messages requesting comment.

Police and prosecutors have said the black and gay actor falsely reported to authorities that he was attacked Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and to promote his career.