A grand jury in Chicago has returned 16 charges against US actor Jussie Smollett, accusing him of falsely claiming to police that he had been the victim of a hate crime.
Prosecutors had previously charged him with one count of filing a false report.
The 36‑year‑old actor told police he had been the victim of a homophobic and racist assault.
Police say he staged the attack because he was "dissatisfied" with his salary.
Last month he was suspended from the Empire TV show he starred in and sources told NBC and CNN Smollett had apologised to the cast for any embarrassment caused by the incident but maintained his innocence.
[Source: BBC]
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