Jussie Smollett update: Judge rules to unseal records in 'Empire' actor's case
CHICAGO -- A judge ordered prosecutors and police to unseal documents in the case of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on Thursday.
The records were sealed in March shortly after charges against Smollett were abruptly dropped by prosecutors. Attorneys representing the media, including ABC7, challenged the sealing of the records.
WATCH: Timeline of key moments in Jussie Smollett case
As a result, nearly 300 pages of court filings were released by the Cook County State's Attorney's office on Thursday.
"This is about transparency and trust in the system and we believe the public has a right to know what the government did here and why," media attorney Natalie Spears said.
READ: Judge's ruling to unseal documents
The judge said Smollett might have been entitled to privacy and keeping the records sealed if he hadn't given a nationally-televised interview about the incident on "Good Morning America."
WATCH: Jussie Smollett gives emotional interview on 'Good Morning America'
"These are not the actions of a person seeking privacy. It was not necessary for him to address this so publicly and to such an extent," Judge Steven Watkins wrote.
WATCH: Jussie Smollett on 'Good Morning America': 'I'm pissed off'
The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police has long been critical of how the state's attorney handled the case.
"We at FOP have done our part to make sure that justice and the light of justice has been shown on this case," said Kevin Graham, president of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx released a statement saying she supports unsealing the records and that her office plans to release more material related to the investigation next week.
While there is little new in what was released by the state's attorney's office Thursday, Chicago police said they have more than 600 pages of evidence as well as videotape and other physical evidence. They plan to release what they can next week.
RELATED: City sues Jussie Smollett for cost of investigating alleged staged attack
The "Empire" actor faced several charges for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in January.
The TV actor claimed he was the victim of a vicious hate crime in the Streeterville neighborhood on January 29. He said two men physically attacked him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs, threw a chemical liquid on him and looped a rope around his neck.
Two days after the alleged attack, Chicago police released surveillance images of two people they said they considered persons of interest in the attack.
But the investigation turned on Smollett. He was accused of allegedly orchestrating the attack with the Osundairo brothers, who he knew. One brother was an extra on "Empire" and the other was Smollett's personal trainer.
Prosecutors said Smollett paid the brothers to pull off the staged attack.
Smollett had also reported a threatening letter sent to him on the "Empire" set containing a white powder, a week before the alleged attack. The letter is currently in the FBI crime lab for analysis, sources said, and experts believe Smollett could face federal charges for allegedly sending the letter.
All charges against Smollett were dropped in late February in exchange for community service and forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.
Smollett has maintained his innocence. The City of Chicago is suing the actor for the costs of the investigation and damage to the city's reputation.
Previous coverage:
Judge asked to recuse himself will not; other judge will rule on special prosecutor
Judge asked to recuse himself from petition to appoint special prosecutor in 'Empire' actor's case
Jussie Smollett: 'Empire' actor's contract extended, no plans for character to return
Jussie Smollett News: Osundairo brothers file defamation lawsuit against 'Empire' actor's attorneys
Kim Foxx receives death threats after Jussie Smollett charges dropped
Kim Foxx texts show she thought number of Jussie Smollett charges 'excessive'
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asks for review of how Jussie Smollett case was handled
Jussie Smollett update: City sues 'Empire' actor for cost of investigating alleged staged attack
Jussie Smollett attorney responds to Chicago's civil suit threat
Chicago to file civil suit against 'Empire' actor for not paying $130K cost of police investigation
Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Jussie Smollett update: What's inside the CPD investigative file?
RELATED: Mayor Emanuel calls decision to drop charges against Smollett 'whitewash of justice'
RELATED: Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett
RELATED: Osundairo brother at center of Jussie Smollett case compete in Chicago boxing match
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RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Texts shed light on why State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself
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RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Brothers 'taken advantage of' by Smollett, attorney says
RELATED: Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's check to brothers obtained by ABC News
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RELATED: Activist calls for Smollett's arrest, believes actor lied about attack
RELATED: Brothers tell police that Jussie Smollett paid them to stage attack, official says
RELATED: Sources: Police investigating whether Smollett staged attack with help of others
RELATED: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on Jussie Smollett
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