Checkmate: Jussie Smollet Lawsuit Over ‘Attack’ to Cost him his ‘EMPIRE’ job

American actor, singer, director and photographer, Justin ”Jussie” Smollett may have just been checkmated by the City of Chicago, and it could cost him his “Empire” job.

The City is now demanding he pay $130k for the overtime required to investigate the now-infamous “attack.”

The city of Chicago is now demanding that Jussie Smollett pay $130,000 to cover the costs of the investigation for what they say was a staged hate crime.@Ryanyoungnews has the latest: https://t.co/DAlIHfSVrV pic.twitter.com/FoTgknQeKv

— CNN (@CNN) March 29, 2019

A City official sent Jussie a demand letter, but his people have already rejected the request, saying the only person owed anything is Jussie — as in, an apology from the Mayor and Police Superintendent.

This has now set up a courtroom showdown, and sources connected to the Mayor told media sources … they will absolutely file a civil case to get the money. Under the law, the City can actually collect 3 times the actual amount owed as a penalty — meaning around $390,000.

If Jussie fights it in court, his “attack” case will be fully litigated. A judge will have to decide if the attack was fake before deciding whether Jussie is required to pay.

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What’s more, the judge would only have to rule that it’s more likely than not — 51/49 percent — that Jussie faked the attack. That’s a much lower standard of proof than a criminal case, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.

Now here’s the hard part for Jussie. If a judge rules the attack was fake, it gives the honchos at “Empire” all the ammo they need to say he’s fired, despite the fact the State’s Attorney has dismissed the criminal case.

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And, to add insult to injury, if Jussie loses the case but refuses to pay the judgment, the City can execute on the judgment, and that would include garnishing wages and freezing bank accounts — including his “Empire” salary.

Gloria Schmidt, an attorney who worked with the Osundairo brothers, says she agrees with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel that it’s “an embarrassment” that charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped. https://t.co/JzaUWckW5p pic.twitter.com/FF1QAvGVYc

— CNN (@CNN) March 29, 2019