The top police official in Chicago on Wednesday slammed “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett for dragging the city’s “reputation through the mud” by making making bogus allegations about a hate crime against him.

“I’m offended by what has happened and I’m also angry. I love the city of Chicago and the Chicago police department, warts and all. But this publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve,” Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said during a press conference Thursday morning. “When that didn’t work Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack and drag Chicago’s reputation through the mud in the process.”