Smollett fights for reputation, career

CHICAGO » Outside the courtroom where former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is fighting charges accusing him of lying to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist attack, his publicist has introduced a roster of supporters to the assembled TV cameras.

Opera singer Lauren Michelle spoke of how one of her best friends from high school has maintained his humanity despite the attacks on his character. Smollett’s pastor, Damon Mack, said the person prosecutors are portraying in court is not “the Jussie I know.” The charges against Smollett are low-level felonies and carry a possible sentence of three years in prison.