In Chicago, actor Jussie Smollett testified in his criminal trial Monday, where he denied orchestrating a fake hate crime on himself and said the attack was not a hoax. Smollett was arrested in 2019, accused of lying to the Chicago police about being violently assaulted on the street. Police believed Smollett, who is gay and African American, paid two brothers, who were personal acquaintances of Smollett’s, to carry out a staged attack. The former star on Fox’s hit TV show “Empire” is facing six counts of felony disorderly conduct and up to three years in prison, if convicted.