Actor Jussie Smollett rests case, denies he staged racist attack

In January 2019, the former "Empire" actor said he was allegedly attacked by two men.

Nearly three years after prosecutors say Jussie Smollett staged a racist attack on himself, attorneys for the former "Empire" actor rested their defense on Tuesday in Chicago.

In January 2019, Smollett, who is Black and gay, alleged he was attacked by two men that were yelling racial and homophobic slurs at him and put a noose around his neck.

Prosecutors said his story came under scrutiny when investigators began to question the details and the actor declined to fully cooperate with the investigation.

According to prosecutors, the attackers were acquaintances of Smollett and he had given them $100 to buy supplies and $3,500 to carry out the attack.