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Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to lying about being attacked

CHICAGO

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago a few weeks ago.

Lawyer Tina Glandian entered the plea on behalf of the 36-year-old actor during a hearing in Cook County Circuit Court after Judge Steven Watkins was assigned to oversee the case, including the trial.

Judge Watkins granted Smollett’s request to be allowed to meet with lawyers in New York and California, but said the actor must give the court at least 48 hours’ prior notice. He scheduled the next hearing for April 17.

Smollett, who left the courthouse without speaking to reporters, is charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors allege that Smollett, who is black and gay and plays the gay character Jamal Lyon on “Empire,” hired two friends to help him stage the attack on him in downtown Chicago early on the morning of Jan. 29. They say Smollett was unhappy about his salary and wanted to drum up publicity to help his career.

Smollett has denied that he staged the attack and maintains he is innocent. His attorneys have called the charges against him “prosecutorial overkill.”

‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ husband faces deportation

NEWARK, N.J.

The husband of one of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” reality-TV stars has been released from federal prison and is waiting to see if he’ll be deported back to Italy.

Joe Giudice was moved this week to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in McElhattan, in central Pennsylvania, according to attorney Jerard Gonzalez.

Last October, a judge in York, Pa., ruled Giudice would be deported to his native country upon completion of his sentence for financial fraud and failing to pay income taxes. Giudice has appealed the ruling.

Giudice has said through his attorneys that he came to the U.S. as an infant and wasn’t aware he wasn’t an American citizen.

Giudice and wife Teresa pleaded guilty in 2014 to bankruptcy fraud and submitting false loan applications to get $5 million in mortgages and construction loans. Joe Giudice also pleaded guilty to not paying about $200,000 in income taxes.

Associated Press