I'm Roberta Glass and you're listening to my true crime report. On January 29th, actor Jesse Smollett

reported to Chicago police that he had been victim of a hate crime. Two men wearing ski masks

attacked the actor, shouting racist and homophobic slurs before declaring this is maga country and attacking the actor with

their fists. They also threw bleach on the actor and a noose around his neck. The public shock

and support of Smolet quickly turned to skepticism as his hate crime was investigated. The public

started asking questions, like, why was

Jesse Smolet walking in sub-zero weather at two in the morning to get a subway sandwich?

Others asked, why did his attackers recognize the largely unknown actor, and why was he left

with only minor injuries?

When two Nigerian brothers with ties to Smolet confessed that they were hired to orchestrate

the hate crime, even practicing it, Smolet was charged by a grand jury with a class

four felony for filing a false police report. But no sooner was he charged than the

charges were dropped on March 26, 2019, with Smolet being ordered to do 16 hours community service

and pay a $10,000 fine. Now, the city of Chicago has sued Smolet for $130,000 for the amount of money and

time devoted to investigating this allegedly hoax hate crime. But even more surprisingly,

this week, Smolet has fought back with his counter suit to the city of Chicago.

And to talk to me about that is Fraternal Order of Police, second vice president, Martin Pryb.

He's the author of three books, The Wagon and Other Stories, Crooked City, and Burn Patterns.

Welcome, Martin Pryb.

Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Oh, I'm happy to do it.

I really like your podcast.

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