Jussie Smollett Staged Attack Because He Wanted a Higher Salary on ‘Empire:’ Chicago Police

Actor and singer Jussie Smollett attends the Fox Networks Group 2018 programming presentation after party at Wollman Rink in Central Park in New York, on May 14, 2018. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett staged a hate crime because he wasn’t satisfied with his salary on the show, Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a press conference on Feb. 21.

“This stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was dissatisfied with his salary,” he told reporters.