"Empire" Actor Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty To Disorderly Conduct Charges

Update:

Standing quietly in the Cook County courthouse with his attorneys, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett entered a plea of not guilty to 16-felony counts of disorderly conduct at his arraignment this morning.

It's reported, Judge Steven Watkins has been assigned to the case and he has granted a motion to allow the "Empire" actor to travel to New York and California, where his lawyers offices are located.  

It's also been reported, Smollett next court appearance is set for Wednesday morning of April 17th.

Previously reported:

Since making claims he was a victim of a vicious hate crime in Chicago back in January 2019, Jussie Smollett has been surrounded by controversy and making national news with his story. Now, a Cook County grand jury has indicted the "Empire" star with 16 felony counts for filing a false police report.

Smollett was originally charged with 1 felony count of disorderly conduct for filing a false report; but now, a grand jury has returned with a new indictment of 16 felony counts for filing a false report.