The city of Chicago is expecting a short trial in their suit against actor Jussie Smollett. The suit for $130,106 is in order to recoup police overtime costs investigating Smollett’s claim of being a victim in a homophobic beating by Trump supporters.
The Chicago Sun Times reports the trial could possibly come as early as next summer.
The earliest the city’s lawsuit could be ready for trial is June 2020, according to the status report. The trial would likely last two or three days.
The Sun Times also notes that legal filings show Smollett is considering legal action against the city “for their conduct underlying the arrest and their conduct thereafter.”
Smollett made the allegedly false claim that he’d been the victim of a beating on Jan. 29. He claimed two men yelled racist and homophobic remarks — making references to his show Empire and to President Donald Trump’s signature slogan, “Make America Great Again.” Smollett said one attacker tied a noose around his neck and poured a substance on him that he believed was bleach.
Smollett was indicted on 16 counts of filing a false police report, but the charges were later dropped in exchange for a $10,000 bond.