2 top deputies resign from Chicago prosecutor's office

Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Two top deputies to the Chicago prosecutor whose office handled the Jussie Smollett case are resigning.

Documents obtained through open records requests show the resignations will take effect May 3 in the office of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx.

Both deputies say their departures are unrelated to the Smollett case.

Chief Ethics Officer April Perry wrote the memo announcing Foxx had recused herself from the case. Foxx has since said she didn't legally recuse herself but instead stepped back from the case. A Foxx spokeswoman said Perry is taking a job at a technology company.

The director of Foxx's Conviction Integrity Unit, Mark Rotert, is retiring. The division reviews alleged wrongful convictions.

Smollett was charged with lying to police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in January. Charges were dropped last month against the "Empire" actor.

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Check out the AP's complete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case.