Actor Jussie Smollet has been hit with charges for faking a racist attack, according to a Chicago police announcement on Wednesday (February 20).

Three weeks ago - Smollett said he was beat up by two apparent supporters of President Donald Trump.

But since then - suspicions have grown that the attack was a hoax.

A police spokesman tweeted, "Felony criminal charges have been approved...for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report.

Detectives will make contact...to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest." Last month, the openly gay actor on the hip-hop TV drama "Empire" kicked up firestorm on social media when he told police he was accosted on the streets of Chicago by two men shouting racist and homophobic slurs.

He said they put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him.

But police have not found any surveillance video of the reported attack, which they had been investigating as a possible hate crime.

Two brothers, who were arrested and released in connection with the attack, are co-operating with the police.

20th century Fox earlier issued a statement saying Smollett was not being written off the TV show, but that was before he was charged.

If Smollett is convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

The actor's attorneys say they plan to mount an "aggressive defense."