Special Prosecutor Dan Webb laid out a series of “operational failures” — and several false statements by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx — as he announced on Monday the end of his investigation into the handling of hate crime claims by actor Jussie Smollett.
Webb said Foxx and her staff made false or misleading statements about her declared recusal from the case, about how the Smollett case compared to others in the court system, about the certainty of a conviction for Smollett, and about her contacts with Smollett’s sister, actor Jurnee Smollett.
But Webb also said he did not find evidence that the case was improperly influenced by third parties such as Tina Tchen, the onetime chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama, nor did he find evidence that would support criminal charges.
In a statement, Foxx’s office said Webb’s announcement “puts to rest any implications of outside influence or criminal activity on the part of the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.” It also denied that the false statements referenced in Webb’s announcement were “deliberately inaccurate.”
Smollett attorney Mark Geragos said in a statement Monday, “This so called “report” on Kim Foxx and the timing of the recharging of Jussie reveals the real political electoral motivation of Dan Webb and his cohorts. It’s a blatant attempt to take down a black, progressive, female prosecutor who does not fit within the white power structure. Jussie, a black, gay man who maintains his innocence, continues to be used as a pawn.
“Today’s report confirms what the defense has said all along—there was no wrongdoing or undue influence by Jussie or the defense in the dismissal of all charges against him and the second wave of charges is a blatant constitutional violation.”
Still, there are more shoes left to potentially drop. Webb said Monday he would seek permission “as soon as possible” from Cook County Judge Michael Toomin to release a 60-page report that supports his findings with evidence. He also said he intends to forward the report to Illinois’ Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission…
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