All charges against "Empire" series actor Jussie Smollett have been dropped. Smollett had faced 16 felony counts alleging he lied to police about a racial and homophobic attack against him in January. An attack police and prosecutors had said Smollett staged because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and to help promote his career. During a surprise court hearing in Chicago, prosecutors decided to drop all charges against the actor. Smollett will forfeit the $10,000 he posted for bond as part of a deferred prosecution deal. Smollett has maintained his innocence from the beginning.