Jussie Smollett, the actor who is suspected of faking a hate crime against himself, lied to police during a DUI stop in Los Angeles in 2007.
Smollett, an actor on “Empire,” pleaded no contest to giving his brother’s name, Jake, to an officer when he was pulled over, and signing a false name on the document where he pledged to appear in court, according to Page Six.
He was charged with false impersonation, driving under the influence, and driving without a license.
Smollett is now suspected of faking a hate crime against himself and paying two people, including one who worked with him on “Empire,” to carry out the attack. The actor, who is gay and black, alleged that the attack was a hate crime.
Smollett, 36, alleged that two men beat, poured bleach on him, and tied a rope around his neck while yelling racist and homophobic slurs. He said they also yelled at him, “This is MAGA country.”
Over the weekend, reports emerged that brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo were paid to carry out the attack after a Chicago Police Department spokesman said last week that there was no evidence to back up the claims that Smollett was lying.
[Read more: Cardi B: Jussie Smollett ‘f–ked Up’ Black History Month]
