CHICAGO — The union that represents Chicago Police is pushing for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to be investigated over her office’s handling of the Jussie Smollett case.
The Fraternal Order of Police renewed its call for Foxx to be investigated Tuesday after charges against Smollett, an “Empire” actor, were dropped. Smollett had been charged with falsifying a police report after prosecutors and police said he staged a racially motivated attack so he’d be offered more money for his work on “Empire.”
Foxx recused herself from the case weeks ago, saying in a statement from her office she’d done so “out of an abundance of caution” based upon her “familiarity with potential witnesses in the case.”
In communications obtained by the Chicago Tribune, Foxx asked Police Supt. Eddie Johnson to turn the Smollett investigation over to the FBI. Foxx did so after she exchanged texts with one of Smollett’s relatives, the Tribune reported.
But Graham, who had called for Foxx to be investigated earlier this month, said he’s curious why Foxx’s office dropped charges against Smollett and again asked for federal authorities to investigate.
“I do not agree with what the state’s attorney did,” union President Kevin Graham said at a news conference. “I don’t think justice was done here today.”
The State’s Attorney’s office’s move was also criticized by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Johnson — though neither directly attacked Foxx.
In a statement, the State’s Attorney’s office said it decided to drop the charges because Smollett was forfeiting $10,000 to the city and had done volunteer work in the community.
The State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the union’s calls for an investigation.
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