Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the sentencing of actor Jussie Smollett, who was found guilty of falsely claiming to police that he was the victim of a hate crime attack, makes for a “clear message” to anyone who dares lie in her city.

The Democrat released a statement Thursday evening after the 39-year-old Smollett shouted, “I am not suicidal! And I am innocent!” as he was taken into custody. Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced Smollett to 150 days in jail, three years of probation, and fines and restitution for police overtime totaling $145,126.

“The criminal conviction of Jussie Smollett by a jury of his peers and today’s sentencing should send a clear message to everyone in the City of Chicago that false claims and allegations will not be tolerated,” Lightfoot said.

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Smollett, who is black and gay, was convicted in December on five counts of felony disorderly conduct and acquitted on a sixth for telling police that he was assaulted by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him while tying a noose around his neck. The former Empire actor also said his attackers yelled “This is MAGA country!” during the alleged 2019 assault.

Linn said he found nothing in the case that was reversible and that Smollett had a fair trial, with the only crime at play being “the false police report.”

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“The malicious and wholly fabricated claim made by Mr. Smollett resulted in over 1,500 hours of police work that cost the city over $130,000 in police overtime,” Lightfoot said.

“The city feels vindicated in today’s ruling that he is being held accountable and that we will appropriately receive restitution for his actions,” she added.

Original Location: Lightfoot declares Chicago ‘vindicated’ after Smollett sentencing

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