Empire star Jussie Smollett has been arrested and faces criminal charges for allegedly filing a false police report and for disorderly conduct. Chicago police tweeted Thursday that the “Empire” actor was under arrest and in custody of detectives, revealed The Hollywood Reporter. According to Smollett, he had been attacked by two men on January 29.

The actor said they beat him, tied a rope around his neck, and doused him with bleach. Empire's Jussie Smollett, Victim Of A Possible Racially-Charged Assault; Celebs Zendaya, John Legend, Ellen DeGeneres, Viola Davis React!

He also claimed that they shouted racist and homophobic slurs during the assault. However, police now believe that Smollett paid two acquaintances, brothers Olabinjo Osundairo and Abimbola Osundairo, to help him orchestrate the attack. The men have reportedly been cooperating with investigators.

Following the charges, Smollett's lawyers issued a statement saying they would defend the charge. "Like any other citizen, Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked," it read.

The charge is a class 4 felony, which carries a potential sentence of one to three years in prison and, may also be ordered to compensate the Chicago Police Department for the cost of its investigation, reported Variety.

(With inputs from ANI and IANS)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2019 09:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).