Empire actor Jussie Smollett has had to pay a $100,000 bail after being accused of staging an attack against him.
He appeared in court yesterday, after being charged with filing a false police report.
The actor claimed he was beaten up in a racist and homophobic attack.
However, police have now accused him of having paid $3,500 to stage it himself.
He's also accused of sending a threatening letter to himself, which included white powder in the envelope.
Mr Smollett denies the allegations.
Press Briefing: Jussie Smollet is under arrest and in custody of detectives. At 9am at #ChicagoPolice Headquarters, Supt Eddie Johnson, Commander of Area Central Detectives Edward Wodnicki will brief reporters on the investigation prior to the defendants appearance in court. pic.twitter.com/9PSv8Ojec2
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 21, 2019
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, police and prosecutors claim the actor staged the attack to garner sympathy and raise his public profile.
In a press conference yesterday, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson suggested Mr Smollett was "unhappy with his salary".
Mr Johnson alleged: "[Mr Smollett] concocted a story about being attacked.
"Our city has problems - we know that... but to put the national spotlight on Chicago for something that is both egregious and untrue is simply shameful."
Allegations
Jussie Smollett initially told police two masked attackers tied a noose around his neck and poured a chemical substance over him.
He claimed they shouted racist and homophobic slurs and also shouted "this is MAGA country" – in an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump's campaign slogan "Make America Great Again."
However, Chicago police this week confirmed they were treating the actor as a suspect.
If convicted, he could face three years in prison.
The actor - who plays Jamal Lyon in Empire - could also be forced to pay for the investigation into the alleged beating on January 29th.
His lawyers have insisted they will mount an "aggressive defence" against the allegations.
Donald Trump has weighed in on the allegations:
Two brothers, who are bodybuilders and aspiring actors, have claimed they were paid to stage the attack.
One of the men had appeared in Empire, police said, and one of them was Smollett's personal trainer.
Fox, the network that airs Empire, has said its evaluating the situation and considering its options.
The New York Times reports the actor returned to work on the set of the show following his arrest and release yesterday.
