 COMMISSIONER MORRISON’S STATEMENT ON SPECIAL PROSECUTOR’S INVESTIGATION FINDINGS INTO THE STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE’S HANDLING OF THE JUSSIE SMOLLETT CASE Orland Park, IL – Special Prosecutor Dan K. Webb concluded his investigation and announced his findings in a report released today (8/17) regarding his investigation into the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) and Chicago Police Department’s handling of the Jussie Smollett case. Upon review of the 12-page document from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Commissioner Morrison is deeply troubled by the severity of the findings. “Absent criminal charges, these findings are damning against State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and to the reputation of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office,” said Commissioner Morrison. Those findings included the following: The OSP did develop evidence that establishes substantial abuses of discretion and operational failures by the CCSAO in prosecuting and resolving the Initial Smollett Case. The CCSAO engaged in a substantial abuse of discretion and breached its obligations and transparency by making false and/or misleading statements to the public regarding the nature and reasons for the dismissal of the Initial Smollett Case. The OSP did develop evidence that may rise to the level of a violation of legal ethics by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and CCSAO lawyers relating to false and/or misleading public statements made about the prosecution and resolution of the Initial Smollett Case. The CCSAO engaged in a substantial abuse of discretion and breached its obligations of honesty and transparency by making false and/or misleading statements to the public regarding State’s Attorney Foxx’s recusal. The CCSAO, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and/or Mr. Magats made at least six false and/or misleading public statements relating to the nature and reason for the dismissal of the Initial Smollett Case and State’s Attorney Foxx’s reccusal.” Though the OSP did not develop evidence that would support any criminal charges against State’s Attorney Kim Foxx or anyone else at the CCSAO, the OSP’s will submit its 60-page Summary Report to the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) so that the ARDC can conduct the appropriate ethical review to determine if any ethical violations were committed. “The substantial abuses of discretion, operational failures and unethical behavior committed by Kim Foxx and members of her staff is unconscionable. The severity of this report affirms my belief that Kim Foxx is unfit to hold the Office of State’s Attorney and should resign immediately,” concluded Commissioner Morrison. ### Media Inquiries:Christopher Provenzano312-804-8434 (M)christopher.provenzano@cookcountyil.gov |
