US Actor Charged with Filing a False Police Report

Chicago police say US actor Jussie Smovett has been charged with filing a false police report.

The empire star had said he was subjected to a homophobic and racist physical attack by two men in January.

Doubt was later cast on his account after US media reported that police believed he may have paid two Nigerian brothers to stage the attack.

However, Mr. Smovett’s lawyers said they would conduct a thorough investigation and mount an aggressive defence.

Police spokesman had said felony criminal charges had been approved against the actor.