Here's How 'Empire' Producers Are Punishing Smollett

"Empire" producers are punishing star Jussie Smollett for his fake hate crime by writing him off the final two episodes of the season.

New: @JussieSmollett's character is being removed from this season's final two episodes of "Empire" pic.twitter.com/7U4wxPv0xZ

— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) February 22, 2019

No word yet on the producers' long term plans for Smollett's character Jamal, who has a rather large role in the series.

On Friday, the actor reportedly returned to the "Empire" Fox studio set and apologized to his castmates, but he still denied any involvement in the crime.

Jussie Smollett reportedly returned to the “Empire” set and apologized to the cast and denied any involvement in attack. This, as police say he staged the attack to promote his career. @miguelnbc has the latest. pic.twitter.com/Vq4yiHN7Vz

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 22, 2019

According to the Chicago PD, Smollett paid two Nigerian brothers to attack him last month in Chicago so he could blame it on two imaginary President Trump supporters. His orchestration cost the city precious resources, not to mention the damage it did to Chicago's reputation. Smollett was arrested Thursday once enough evidence was produced. At the actor's court appearance, a judge set his bail at $100,000, and told him to surrender his passport.

It all really "pissed off" authorities. 

"Absolute justice would be an apology to the city he smeared," Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said.