Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty to 16 Felony Counts He's Facing

Smollett will be back in court in April.

On Thursday (March 14th) Jussie Smollettpleaded not guilty to thenumerous felony counts he's facing. Last week, Smollett was hit with 16felony counts of disorderly conduct by a grand jury. Chicago police are alleging thatSmollett orchestrated a fake hate crime attack and then filed false police reports. (Reports alleged that Smollett orchestrated the move because he was unsatisfied with the salary he was making on Empire.)

READ: From Alleged Attack To Arrest: A Timeline Of Jussie Smollett's Chicago Investigation

On January 28th,Smollett told authorities that he was attacked by two white men wearing ski masks. Smollett claimed that the two men were yelling racist and homophobic slurs to him during the attack. Since then, there have been many twists and turns, leading to severe doubt around Smollett's story. (Head here for a full primer.)

Last month it was announced that Smollett would be cut from the final two episodes of the next season of Empire.

READ: Empire Is Reportedly Reducing Jussie Smollett's Role Over Attack Scandal

Smollett is expected back in court on April 17.