Judge unseals Jussie Smollett case file

A judge in Chicago has ordered that the case against Empire star Jussie Smollett be unsealed, saying the actor has forfeited his right to privacy.

A judge has ordered Jussie Smollett criminal file to be unsealed. Picture: AFP

A judge in Chicago has ordered the file in the Jussie Smollett criminal case unsealed.

Cook County Judge Steven Watkins said that while there are good arguments in favour of keeping the file sealed, the Empire actor forfeited his rights to keep the case sealed to protect his privacy by talking to the media before and after prosecutors dismissed the charges against him.

Actor Jussie Smollett’s booking photo. Picture: AFP

Smollett had been charged with 16 counts alleging he lied to police when reporting he’d been the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in January.

Police insist the actor, who is black and gay, staged the attack because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted publicity.

Empire actors Abimbola 'Abel' (left), and Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo (right) who Jussie Smollett allegedly paid to stage an attack on him. Picture: Supplied

Prosecutors dropped all charges with little explanation.

The criminal case was dismissed March 26.

Smollett wanted the case sealed, saying that he had “the right to be left alone.”

Trai Byers and Jussie Smollett in Empire. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Judge unseals Jussie Smollett case file