Kim Foxx, the State Attorney for Cook County repeatedly claimed to have cut off all communication with Jussie Smollett’s sister after she was informed that the actor was a suspect in an investigation, but according to a special prosecutor’s report, she continued communication for several days.
The report was released on Monday by Daniel Webb, a special prosecutor, and cites multiple instances between March and May of 2019, the period during which Foxx told the media that all communications with Smollett’s sister had ceased. According to the report, five text messages and three phone conversations occurred in the five days that followed her claim to have stopped all communication.
During a phone call placed on February 13th, Foxx and Smollett discussed what the alleged attackers’ skin color was. That evening, Smollett claimed that her discussion with Foxx was “quite different” and claimed that Foxx informed her that she was being recused from the case.
Webb claims that Kim Foxx and her attorneys will be referred to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for violations of ethics.
The report admits that the results of the investigation did not uncover “evidence that would support any criminal charges.”
Webb did, however, say in the report that the evidence found “establishes substantial abuse of discretion.” He added that the breach of “obligations of honesty and transparency” as well as “misleading statements to the public” reflect a “major failure of the operations.”
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office responded the same evening, defending Foxx and claiming to “respectfully disagree with the OSP’s findings.”
According to Smollett’s sister, Foxx assured her that Jussie would be “fine as long as he stays consistent.”
Sheila O’Brien, a retired judge, slammed Foxx and called her a “liar” based on the content of the special prosecutors report. O’Brien added that Foxx “should resign… Taxpayers deserve better.”
Earlier this month, Jussie Smollett was charged five out of six allegations of false statements to police, claiming to be a battery victim, a hate crime victim, and telling a detective that he was the victim of a hate crime.
Author: Julie Jenkins
