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The prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case threw shade at the Mayor of Chicago and the Police Superintendent as she bizarrely tried to explain her decision to cut the actor loose from the justice system.

Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx wrote an op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune, in which she says the case against Smollett was not a slam dunk. Foxx is clearly pointing the finger at Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who came out strongly in a news conference after Smollett was charged, saying the evidence was clear -- Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers to stage an "attack."

Foxx says, "For a variety of reasons, including public statements made about the evidence in this case, my office believed the likelihood of securing a conviction was not certain." She doesn't explain how those public statements would affect the case.

Foxx goes on to diminish the alleged crimes, saying Smollett was charged with a low-level felony, "The least serious category, which also covers things like falsely pulling a fire alarm in school and 'draft card mutilation.'" So, Foxx is comparing filing a false police report and falsely alleging a hate crime is like pulling a fire alarm.

She says, "These felonies are routinely resolved, particularly in cases involving suspects with no prior criminal record, long before a case ever nears a courtroom and often without either jail time or monetary penalties." What she's not telling you ... the way these cases are typically resolved is with a plea bargain ... and not outright dismissal. Remember, Jussie did no formal community service.

She then goes after Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent Johnson, saying, "Any law-enforcement leader or elected official not grandstanding or clouded by political expediency understands the purpose of sentencing guidelines." NOTE: Smollett was not sentenced. He was let go.

Luke Perry's getting a proper sendoff from Hollywood ... with a celebration of his extraordinary life.

TMZ's obtained the invitation that's been sent to those who worked with Luke during his Hollywood career ... a list boasting hundreds of names. We're told the invitation's gone out to those who worked with him on "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Riverdale" and various other projects.

Our sources say the invite's not limited to stars and execs who run Tinseltown. We're told crew members -- from camera guys and makeup artists to hairstylists and wardrobe folks -- are included on the guest list. The private event is set for April 13 at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.

As we first reported ... Luke's ashes were spread around the place he most cherished ... the Tennessee farm where he lived on and off over the last 20-plus years. TMZ broke the story ... Luke died suddenly this month after suffering a massive stroke.

His death sent shock waves across the world. Luke was an adoring father and was revered just as much in Hollywood, which is why it wants to unite one last time in his honor.

There is a serious rupture in one of the most enduring relationships in Hollywood, because Jada Pinkett Smith has made a move signaling what could be the end of her relationship with longtime, close pal Kris Jenner, as well as Kim and Khloe Kardashian ... TMZ has learned.

Jada has JUST unfollowed Kris, Khloe and Kim on Instagram, and our sources say it's all over the fallout involving Jordyn Woods.

As you know, Jada and Will are all but family to Jordyn ... she calls Will her Uncle. Jordyn broke her silence over the Tristan Thompson scandal by appearing on Jada's "Red Table Talk" show, and Jada was sympathetic.

We're told Jada has made it clear to a number of people ... she feels everyone should put it behind them, but clearly, the Kardashians are still angry, as you can see from the promo for the new season of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." In the promo, you hear Khloe say Jordyn "ruined" their family.

As you know by now, after Jordyn hooked up -- in some form -- with Tristan last month, she became persona non grata with the Kardashian family. Jordyn had been living in Kylie's guest house but was almost immediately declared unwelcome. She hasn't even come back to pick up her stuff.

Jada and Kris have been tight for many, many years ... even vacationing together.

We're told the conflict goes way beyond Instagram ... the relationship itself is severely fractured.

It's interesting ... Khloe initially blamed Jordyn for the hookup, tweeting, "You ARE the reason my family broke up!" But, later she backtracked, saying, "But Jordyn is not to be blamed for the breakup of my family. This was Tristan's fault."

Jada is still following Kylie and Jordyn. We're told Jada is a strong source of support for Jordyn.

Jussie Smollett may have just been checkmated by the City of Chicago, and it could cost him his "Empire" job.

The City is now demanding he pay $130k for the overtime required to investigate the now-infamous "attack." A City official sent Jussie a demand letter, but his people have already rejected the request, saying the only person owed anything is Jussie -- as in, an apology from the Mayor and Police Superintendent.

This has now set up a courtroom showdown, and sources connected to the Mayor tell TMZ ... they will absolutely file a civil case to get the money. Under the law, the City can actually collect 3 times the actual amount owed as a penalty -- meaning around $390,000.

If Jussie fights it in court, his "attack" case will be fully litigated. A judge will have to decide if the attack was fake before deciding whether Jussie is required to pay. What's more, the judge would only have to rule that it's more likely than not -- 51/49 percent -- that Jussie faked the attack. That's a much lower standard of proof than a criminal case, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.

Now here's the hard part for Jussie. If a judge rules the attack was fake, it gives the honchos at "Empire" all the ammo they need to say he's fired, despite the fact the State's Attorney has dismissed the criminal case.

And, to add insult to injury, if Jussie loses the case but refuses to pay the judgment, the City can execute on the judgment, and that would include garnishing wages and freezing bank accounts -- including his "Empire" salary.

A couple of Lori Loughlin's "Fuller House" costars are hesitant to talk about her legal situation, but the looks on their faces make it pretty clear ... they've got lots of love for her.

Bob Saget and John Stamos were leaving Avra restaurant in Beverly Hills Thursday when we asked if they're still supporting Lori ... or if they're upset with her in any way for her alleged part in the college admissions bribery scandal.

Bob had a little more to say, telling us you love who you love and stick with them ... echoing the message of another "Fuller House" star, Candace Cameron Bure, at the Kids' Choice Awards.

Saget was quick to add ... "Life's complicated."

That's a sentiment with which Stamos agrees, but other than that he's tight-lipped.

As we reported ... Loughlin's not coming back to "Fuller House" for its fifth season, and also lost her Hallmark gig in the wake of her arrest for allegedly paying bribes to get her kids into USC.

Miley Cyrus partied like it's 2006 ... transforming into Hannah Montana and sending her fans into a tizzy.

Miley's mood Thursday night? Full Montana -- bringing back the blonde locks, the bangs and a ton of songs from her famed Disney Channel character, circa 2006 to 2011. Best of all ... she recorded herself putting a hilarious spin on the theme song, "Best of Both Worlds."

Let's hope Hannah's fans have grown up as much as Miley ... 'cause the new full-grown, party animal version went a little like this ... "The best of both worlds, like when you take an upper and a downer at the same time. Like if you take a little molly and smoke a joint."

Miley also declared herself the winner of the #10YearChallenge. She looks almost exactly the same as she did back in 2009. Anyway, what's got fans going crazy is they're now wondering whether this means a Hannah comeback is in the offing.

We're thinking Miley's aged out of the character, at the ripe old age of 26 ... but ya never know!

Tina Tchen, the woman who tried to grease the wheels for Jussie Smollett in Chicago, isn't saying much ... now that he's been cleared of all criminal charges.

We got Tchen in Washington, D.C. -- she's a power player there as Michelle Obama's former Chief of Staff -- but also in Chicago. We asked her, multiple times, what her thoughts are on Jussie's future now that he's no longer facing 16 felony counts.

Watch, she had an answer locked and loaded ... which she fired off. Repeatedly.

You'll recall, Tchen had reached out to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx shortly after Jussie reported the alleged attack. In text messages, Tchen said she was speaking on behalf of the Smollett family ... which had "concerns about the investigation."

After Foxx's office let Smollett skate, critics speculated Tchen's involvement reeked of the kind of political cronyism for which Chicago's built an infamous reputation.

Jussie Smollett shouldn't show up to the NAACP Image Awards this weekend ... so says an actress on "Power."

Naturi Naughton -- who actually won the award last year for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama -- was very candid with us Thursday at LAX, saying given everything that's happened with him ... he should probably bow out of the award show this time around. Jussie won for Supporting Actor in a Drama in 2017.

Unclear if Jussie's gonna follow her advice, considering he touched down in L.A. Wednesday night, ahead of the NAACP Image Awards this Saturday. It wouldn't be surprising if he showed -- he's been as strong this week as he was at the beginning of the saga -- proclaiming the "attack" was real.

Kimora Lee Simmons couldn't resist taking a shot at Lori Loughlin after her daughter got accepted to Harvard all on her own.

Russell Simmons' ex-wife just shared a video of their daughter, Aoki Lee Simmons, reading her acceptance letter into the Ivy League school ... with Kimora adding some not so subtle jabs at Lori and all the parents swept up in the college bribery scandal.

Kimora says she's proud of Aoki for getting accepted to Harvard on the strength of her own merit ... and not because she was on a bogus rowing team.

As we've reported ... Loughlin and her husband are facing criminal charges for allegedly paying $500,000 to have their 2 daughters designated as recruits for the crew team at USC -- despite the fact they did not actually participate in crew. Lori's daughters left USC after the scandal broke, and they could be banned from campus for life.

4:57 PM PT -- President Trump just blasted Jussie Smollett at a Grand Rapids, Michigan rally, telling the crowd, "How 'bout Chicago," which triggered a roar of boos. He said the widespread indignation over Jussie walking free was the only time he agreed with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. He called the case a national embarrassment.

The bizarre outcome of the Jussie Smollett case is now on President Trump's radar, and as federal investigations begin ... he's calling the dropping of the charges an "embarrassment" to the nation.

Trump's Thursday morning tweet storm included one about the sweet deal the Cook County State's Attorney's Office handed Smollett -- dropping the 16 felony counts for allegedly lying to police after he did 18 hours of charitable work last weekend.

POTUS said 2 federal agencies -- the FBI and the Department of Justice -- would be reviewing the "outrageous" case. It might seem like he's calling for the investigation, but the reality is the FBI and DOJ were already on the job.

Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police announced it had filed with the DOJ on Tuesday ... immediately following the announcement Jussie would not stand trial. The FBI's probe of the State's Attorney's decision was announced Wednesday afternoon.

While Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has defended cutting Smollett loose -- calling it a typical outcome for anyone facing class 4 felonies -- public outcry has prompted the feds to get involved.

Trump's tweet makes it clear ... he still knows what gets ratings.

Tamar Braxton is falling back into mea culpa mode just days after putting her sister, Trina, on blast for daring to get engaged ... during Tamar's birthday celebration.

ICYMI ... Tamar went off Tuesday on Trina's fiance, Von, after he popped the question to Trina. Tamar's issue is his timing sucked. The proposal went down on what Tamar considered a continuation of her bday bash. Check out the vid, Tamar rants about crappy gifts and Trina stealing her shine.

Tamar's now saying, "Oops!" She took to Instagram and said, "Sometimes you get so caught up in 'ME' you f*** up not only your night, but others as well! Looking at the bigger picture, I'm so excited and happy for [Trina] and [Von.]"

She didn't paint such a rosy picture earlier this week. Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Tamar's blowup was completely unwarranted because, for starters, the family celebrated Tamar's birthday on Monday.

We're told they had a birthday cake with candles and sang "Happy Birthday" ... the whole 9 yards. The next day -- when Tamar went off -- the family once again had dinner together to discuss their show, "Braxton Family Values."

The family meeting was NOT supposed to be another birthday bash ... especially since Tamar's birthday was March 17. Our sources say because the family got together again, Von felt it was a good time to propose ... especially because it's rare to get everyone together in the same room.

Our sources say Trina and Von do NOT feel like they stole Tamar's thunder -- after all, she'd already had her party.

We're told it's all water under the bridge now. As for Trina and the ring ... it's a beaut -- the center stone's nearly 2 carats.

It's a deep oval cut featuring another carat of smaller diamonds on the band. Congrats!!!

Jussie Smollett's alleged "attack" is not over, because the City of Chicago is demanding $130,000 from the actor or else, but the actor has told Chicago officials to go pound sand.

The Chicago Corporation Counsel -- who handles civil claims for the City -- fired off a letter to Jussie demanding he pay the $130k, which represents, among other things, overtime pay for cops who investigated the case.

The Corporation Counsel writes, "Over two dozen detectives and police officers participated in the investigation, ultimately spending weeks investigating your false claims."

The letter goes on to say they have the goods, saying, "The Chicago police investigation revealed that you knowingly filed a false police report and had in fact orchestrated your own attack."

And, then comes the threat ... the City is demanding "immediate payment of the $130,106.15" within 7 days. If Jussie doesn't ante up, the Corporation Counsel vows to "prosecute you for making a false statement under the Municipal Code of Chicago." This is separate from the criminal case that was just dismissed.

The penalty is no jail, but a fine of no less than $500 ... but here's the deal -- the city could go after Jussie for 3 times the actual damages, or more than $390,000. Although the penalties are only monetary, it could amount to a finding by a judge or jury that Jussie faked the attack.

Jussie's response was immediate and clear ... a spokesperson told TMZ, "It is the Mayor and the Police Chief who owe Jussie an apology for dragging an innocent man's character through the mud. Jussie has paid enough."

As you know ... prosecutors in stunning fashion dropped Jussie's case earlier this week -- much to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's chagrin. Jussie surrendered his $10k bond, but that's it.

Jimmy Kimmel's good friend and famous chef, Adam Perry Lang, has been TOTALLY CLEARED in the crazy case involving explosives, a rifle and a girlfriend.

TMZ broke the story, Lang was staying at Kimmel's beachside home last January, when cops got a 911 call saying a man was inside the home with explosives and had assaulted his girlfriend with a rifle.

Cops swarmed the Hermosa Beach, CA home but Adam was sound asleep with his ringer off. Cops stayed for hours and when they finally roused him, they ordered him out of the house with his hands up.

Adam was arrested and taken to the station, where Jimmy came to bail him out. Adam insisted he did not make the call and that his cell phone records would back that up. Cops checked his cell phone and did not find a 911 call, but nevertheless pursued the case.

One of Jussie Smollett's "Empire" costars doesn't want to answer for pulling her support when things were hot ... especially now that the case has gone ice cold and been dropped.

We ran into Tasha Smith -- aka, Carol Hardaway (Jussie's aunt on the show) -- leaving Chelsea Studios in NYC Thursday, where our camera guy pointed out that she was one of many "Empire" stars who yanked their initial supportive IG posts when Jussie was arrested.

Of course, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office decided to drop the charges altogether just this week.

Before our photog can get around to a question, Tasha jumps in to jokingly berate him, asking why in the hell he'd ask that about her "family" ... and turns the question on him.

It's a pretty hilarious back-and-forth here -- which ends with her telling us to kiss it where the sun don't shine. And, while Tasha and our guy made peace by the end of it ... she skated around a serious question, and seems to be pulling back from her initial pull-back.

Jussie Smollett is back on the west coast and the timing is interesting ... considering he's up for a big award in L.A. this weekend.

The embattled "Empire" actor landed at LAX Wednesday night, where he was flanked by security guards and family members as paparazzi peppered him with questions, like whether he thinks he'll get his career back on track ... and if he thought he wasted the Chicago PD's time.

Jussie remained tight-lipped and made his way to a waiting car.

His arrival makes sense ... he's nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 50th NAACP Image Awards for his "Empire" role. That's going down Saturday, and while he hasn't officially said he'll attend ... this is a strong sign he'll be there.

Jussie Smollett knows his career's on the line, and he's tasking his team with pulling off the highly improbable -- making him likable again.

Sources close to the "Empire" star tell TMZ ... even though his criminal record's scrubbed clean, he's in crisis management mode to repair his public image. We're told he's ordered his team to come up with a plan to fix that pronto, because if they don't ... he's screwed professionally.

Our sources say Jussie's open to anything that will give him an opportunity to tell his story and convey he's not the bad guy. Yes ... he will stick to the victim narrative.

We're told he's down for interviews, appearances and going outside of his comfort zone if it means getting a chance to connect with an audience ... because he knows if he does nothing, he'll never get work again.

We broke the story ... Jussie's showbiz job offers have completely dried up since he was arrested and charged for allegedly orchestrating a fake attack in Chicago in late January.

Despite the charges getting dropped this week, we're told Jussie has not been contacted about any potential work and knows he's more or less a Hollywood outcast for now ... so, it's time for a full-on PR blitz.