Former CNN legal analyst Mark Geragos, who is reportedly the unnamed co-conspirator in the criminal case against celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti, tweeted for the first time since Avenatti’s arrest in defense of his client, actor Jussie Smollett.
Geragos did not address reports that he was involved in Avenatti’s alleged attempt to extort Nike, but rather declared Smollett a “victim” after the actor was cleared of charges by prosecutors.
“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dismissed by the Prosecution. Jussie’s record has been wiped clean. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify. He was a victim and was victimized again in a rush to judgment. Apologies accepted,” Geragos tweeted Tuesday.
Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dismissed by the Prosecution. Jussie’s record has been wiped clean. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify. He was a victim and was victimized again in a rush to judgment. Apologies accepted
— Mark Geragos (@markgeragos) March 26, 2019
Police accused Smollett, who is black and gay, of paying two people to stage what appeared to be a hate crime against him in January. Authorities said that Smollett did so because he was dissatisfied with his salary on the show “Empire.” Those charges were dropped Tuesday by the Cook County State Attorney’s office.
Geragos, a well-known defense attorney who has represented controversial clients including the late actor Michael Jackson and football star Colin Kaepernick, is reportedly the unnamed co-conspirator in Avenatti’s arrest. Avenatti was arrested Monday after police said he tried to extort Nike out of millions, he has since been released on $300,000 bond.
[Read more: Michael Avenatti denies he tried to extort Nike in 3 a.m. tweet]
The former CNN analyst has not publicly addressed the accusations since Avenatti was charged.
Despite the fact that CNN fired Geragos shortly after the news was announced, he still has “CNN Legal Commentator” listed in his Twitter biography.
