Smollett case special prosecutor donated to state attorney's campaign

Dan Webb says he doesn’t recall giving political contribution to Kim Foxx, who appointed him to look into why charges against ‘Empire’ actor were dropped

CHICAGO — The special prosecutor appointed to look into why the state’s attorney’s office in Chicago abruptly dropped the case against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staging an attack on himself acknowledged Monday that he donated to the top prosecutor’s campaign and that his law firm co-hosted a 2016 fundraiser for her.

In a document filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Dan K. Webb says he doesn’t recall writing a $1,000 check to State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s campaign. The Chicago Tribune reported he also says he doesn’t remember attending the fundraiser thrown by his high-powered firm, Winston & Strawn.

Included with Webb’s filing was a copy of the flyer touting the fundraiser. The invitation notes lawyers in the firm including Webb, a Republican, supported Foxx, a Democrat, in her campaign for state’s attorney.

“I should point out that it is common for Winston partners to host fundraisers for political candidates at our firm,” Webb wrote to Judge Michael Toomin, who appointed the former US attorney as special prosecutor in August. “It is also common that my Winston partners request that I contribute to these fundraisers.”

Webb said the matter was brought to his attention last week by Michael Bromwich, an attorney for Foxx. He said Bromwhich “made it clear” Foxx won’t claim any conflict of interest or make “any other objection related to this contribution.”

A hearing is scheduled for Friday, during which Webb is expected to discuss the political donation with Toomin.

The Chicago Police Department maintains that there is overwhelming evidence Smollett staged the attack and paid his two “attackers” to carry it out.

The Cook County state’s attorney’s office charged Smollett in February with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly orchestrating the incident. However, it dropped all of the charges a month later with little explanation, angering city officials and the police.