Jussie Smollett performed just 16 hours of community service over the course of two days at the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s human rights coalition — apparently, enough for prosecutors to drop felony charges against him.
The “Empire” actor and accused hoaxer completed the volunteer work on Saturday and Monday, the group Rainbow PUSH Coalition said.
Rainbow PUSH called Smollett “one of the most impactful community service volunteers that we have ever worked with,” CBS Chicago reported.
“When he first was reported to be in the crisis, we reached out to him like we often do. He responded, came over that time. I sought to counsel him,” Jackson told the network.
The longtime civil rights advocate added, “And hopefully this chapter is closed.”
In a separate statement, Rainbow PUSH insisted “there was no court-ordered community service here.”
“Jussie is a member of our organization. He, like many other members, has given of his time and talent and continues to do so,” the statement continued. “During this period of disruption to his life and livelihood, Jussie has spent time here helping to advance this important work.”
Kiera Ellis, a spokeswoman for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, said the 16-count indictment against Smollett for allegedly staging his own hate crime was dropped because of the community service and the forfeiture of his $10,000 bond, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Smollett’s work with Rainbow PUSH included speaking to students about the music and film industry and volunteering in the PUSH Freedom Store, where he managed sales and peddled merchandise.
The 36-year-old singer-actor also stuffed envelopes, helped the group film their weekly broadcast and worked with the music director on plans to start a choir, TMZ reported.
The gossip site said Smollett never mentioned his deal with prosecutors to anyone at Rainbow PUSH and that it was the organization’s decision — not Smollett’s — to keep his volunteer work under wraps.