Empire actor charged with domestic battery

Chicago — An actor on the television show Empire has been arrested on a misdemeanour domestic battery charge in Chicago.

Police say 46-year-old Morocco Omari was arrested Wednesday afternoon. They say officers were called to the Hyde Park neighbourhood on Chicago's South Side by a 24-year-old woman who identified herself as Omari's girlfriend. She told officers Omari pushed her to the ground several times during an argument, causing scratches on her neck and chest.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office says Omari appeared in court on Thursday. His next court date is 20 April.

A representative for Omari did not immediately return a call for comment.

On the show that's filmed in Chicago, Omari plays FBI Agent Tariq Cousins. He's the half-brother of Lucious Lyon, who's played by Terrence Howard.