The 36-year-old Empire star, Jussie Smollett claims to have been assaulted in Chicago last month. He says that his assailants struck him in the face, draped a rope around his neck and doused him with an unknown chemical substance before fleeing. Police says that he took himself to a hospital but was not seriously hurt.
Two men arrested in connection with the alleged attack have been released without charge for the police believe he may have paid the men to do it. Police had arrested two Nigerian brothers described as “persons of interest”, recognized from surveillance camera footage taken in the area of the alleged assault. The two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo have been freed without charge in light of new evidence from their interrogation.
Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo are known to Smollett. They both work as extras on Empire. Smollett’s legal representatives have issued a statement any allegations of a hoax; ”As a victim of a hate crime who has co-operated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.
One of these purported suspects was Jussie’s personal trainer who he hired to ready him physically for a music video. It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity. Jussie and his attorneys anticipate being further updated by the Chicago Police Department on the status of the investigation and will continue to co-operate.
At the present time, Jussie and his attorneys have no inclination to respond to unnamed sources inside of the investigation but will continue discussions through official channels.”
It still remain a puzzle whether the assault was stage managed or not.