The city of Chicago plans to go after Jussie Smollett in civil court after the "Empire" actor failed to pay his $130,000 bill for the police investigation into his alleged assault.
Bill McCaffrey, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Law, said in a statement to The New York Daily News that his department is currently drafting a civil complaint to be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County "in the near future."
"As part of this legal action, the Law Department will pursue the full measure of damages allowed under the ordinance," McCaffrey said.
Late last week, the city demanded an "immediate payment" of about $130,000 from Smollett in order to pay for the cost of the police investigation, according to a letter from the Chicago Department of Law, acquired by the Daily News.
"The City of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department take seriously those who make false statements to the police, thereby diverting resources from other investigations and undermining the criminal justice system," the letter read.
McCaffrey told the Daily News at the time that the $130,000 covers overtime hours.
Smollett was charged with filing a false police report after officer said he had staged a late January attack and paid two brothers to help him.
The Cook County State's Attorney's Office dismissed all charges against the actor last week, despite disapproval from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
"My personal opinion is that you all know where I stand on this," Johnson told reporters at a news conference. "Do I think justice was served? No. What do I think justice is? I think this city is still owed an apology."
Smollett's attorneys pushed back against the city's attempts to recoup the investigation costs.
"It is the mayor and the police chief who owe Jussie _ owe him an apology _ for dragging an innocent man's character through the mud," they said in a statement. "Jussie has paid enough."
Smollett has consistently maintained his innocence.
