Jussie Smollett is formally named as a suspect in ‘hoax’ attack

Jussie Smollett (shown on Good Morning America last week denying that he made up the attack) has been officially named as a suspect and police are asking a grand jury to indict him on a Class 4 felony of filing a false report 

Jussie Smollett is officially being treated as a suspect by Chicago Police Department.  

On Wednesday afternoon, police announced their suspicion that the 36-year-old staged the January 29 attack on himself that shocked the world and said it was now presenting evidence to a grand jury to consider weighing charges. 

They are asking that he be charged with filing a false police report, a Class 4 felony which carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. 

In a tweet, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said: ‘Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). 

‘Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury.’  

The announcement came as video footage emerged of the two Nigerian brothers Smollett is accused of paying to stage the attack buying ski masks, a red at and gloves in a store the day before it happened.  

The footage was obtained by CBS on Wednesday.

It was taken on January 28 and shows brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo inside what looks like a drug store buying the masks and one hat. 

Smollett told police originally that he was attacked by two masked assailants who punched him, poured bleach on him, tied a noose around his neck and called him ‘Empire n****r f****t’. 

He also said they told him: ‘This is MAGA country!’ before running away. No footage has ever emerged of the incident. 

 

Abel and Ola Osundairo inside what looks like a drug store buying the masks and one hat along with sunglasses, gloves and other items which do not appear to have a connection to the alleged attack. The footage was taken a day before the incident

Abel and Ola Osundairo inside what looks like a drug store buying the masks and one hat along with sunglasses, gloves and other items which do not appear to have a connection to the alleged attack. The footage was taken a day before the incident

In the video taken inside the store the day earlier, the brothers look calm in the video as they bring the items to the register. 

Abel, whose full name is Abimbola, is dressed in a blue plaid jacket. About 30 seconds into the video, he puts his hood up while standing at the register. 

His younger brother Ola, who once appeared on Empire as an extra, is in a green jacket. 

Once they had dumped their haul on the register, they looked at one another and waited to be served. 

For four-and-a-half minutes, they stand and watch as the cashier bags up their items which included gloves, bobble hats and sunglasses.

Abel put his gloves on to leave the store and he paid cash for everything. 

As they waited for the items to be bagged up, Abel got out his phone and appeared to be typing and looking through images. 

He and Ola maintained conversation throughout. 

The brothers were picked up at Chicago O’Hare Airport on Wednesday night as they returned from Nigeria.  

The brothers stood at the cash register for more than four minutes as the cashier bagged the items which included ski masks, a bobble hat, a red hat and gloves 

The brothers stood at the cash register for more than four minutes as the cashier bagged the items which included ski masks, a bobble hat, a red hat and gloves 

Abel, who was dressed in a blue plaid jacket, put his hood up 30 seconds into it and then got out his phone. He appeared to type and swipe through photographs 

Abel, who was dressed in a blue plaid jacket, put his hood up 30 seconds into it and then got out his phone. He appeared to type and swipe through photographs 

Abel paid cash for the haul and his brother, who was wearing a purple bandanna, spoke to him as they stood at the cash register 

Abel paid cash for the haul and his brother, who was wearing a purple bandanna, spoke to him as they stood at the cash register 

Abel put on his gloves before he left the store. The video was taken a day before the alleged incident 

Abel put on his gloves before he left the store. The video was taken a day before the alleged incident 

The brothers walked out with two separate bags.  The day after the attack, they fled to Nigeria 

The brothers walked out with two separate bags.  The day after the attack, they fled to Nigeria 

They flew there on January 29 hours after the Smollett attack and a day after they were filmed in the store. 

Once in police custody last week, they told police Smollett paid them $3,500 to carry out the attack and that he also told them where to buy the rope that was put around his neck. 

That was purchased in a separate store, according to police sources. 

The video was shared on Wednesday as Smollett’s attorneys met with prosecutors and police in Chicago. 

A grand jury had been scheduled to hear testimony from the two brothers on Tuesday but it was canceled at the last minute. 

Smollett, who maintains he did not know his attackers and that it was a racist and homophobic ambush, maintains he was telling the truth. 

The brothers, shown in a photo from the Instagram account they use that Smollett follows, told police he paid them to attack him 

The brothers, shown in a photo from the Instagram account they use that Smollett follows, told police he paid them to attack him 

The brothers said Smollett also sent himself this letter to the Fox studio a week before the attack  

The brothers said Smollett also sent himself this letter to the Fox studio a week before the attack  

Smollett follows the brothers' joint Instagram account where they post videos and photographs of themselves working out 

Smollett follows the brothers’ joint Instagram account where they post videos and photographs of themselves working out 

Ola appeared on the second season of Empire as an extra. He is shown with Lee Daniels, the show's creator, on set in 2015

Ola appeared on the second season of Empire as an extra. He is shown with Lee Daniels, the show’s creator, on set in 2015

Police seized a red hat from the brothers’ home along with ski masks when they raided it last week.

Smollett took himself to the hospital after the January 29 incident once police had left his apartment. He is shown above 

Smollett took himself to the hospital after the January 29 incident once police had left his apartment. He is shown above 

Smollett said his attackers were wearing masks but there was not a description of a red hat in the initial reports. 

Police have since shared their belief that at least one of them was wearing a red hat at the time of the attack. 

Earlier on Wednesday, DailyMail.com learned that Kimberly Foxx, the Cook County State’s Attorney in charge of the case, recused herself because she spoke with members of Smollett’s family in the immediate aftermath of the attack. 

‘Shortly after the incident occurred in late January, State’s Attorney Foxx had conversations with a family member of Jussie Smollett about the incident and their concerns, and facilitated a connection to the Chicago Police Department who were investigating the incident. 

‘Based on those prior conversations and out of an abundance of caution, last week State’s Attorney Foxx decided to remove herself from the decision making in this matter and delegated it to her First Assistant Joseph Magats, a 28-year veteran prosecutor,’ a spokesman for her office said. 

Smollett being named as a suspect on Wednesday after it emerged he once lied to police by pretending to be his younger brother. 

In 2007, when he was pulled over for a DUI, Smollett told the officers that he was his younger brother Jake. 

Chicago PD released this image in the days after the attack which they now say shows brothers Abel and Ola on the night of the incident. For weeks, they did not know who they were but they honed in on the pair after tracking ride-sharing information from the night and the area 

Chicago PD released this image in the days after the attack which they now say shows brothers Abel and Ola on the night of the incident. For weeks, they did not know who they were but they honed in on the pair after tracking ride-sharing information from the night and the area 

This was the scene after the  police had 'searched' the brothers' home last week. Their relatives say they were asked about how the men knew Smollett. Police seized a number of items from their home including bleach - which was allegedly used in the attack - ski masks and a red hat 

This was the scene after the  police had ‘searched’ the brothers’ home last week. Their relatives say they were asked about how the men knew Smollett. Police seized a number of items from their home including bleach – which was allegedly used in the attack – ski masks and a red hat 

The brothers' names are included in this inventory list that police left with their relatives detailing all the items they took from the house as part of their investigation. The list included proof of residency for both brothers and bottles of LA's Totally Awesome bleach

The brothers’ names are included in this inventory list that police left with their relatives detailing all the items they took from the house as part of their investigation. The list included proof of residency for both brothers and bottles of LA’s Totally Awesome bleach

Last Thursday, the actor wept as he said 'who the f*** would make that up' when addressing the skepticism surrounding his version of events during an interview on Good Morning America 

Last Thursday, the actor wept as he said ‘who the f*** would make that up’ when addressing the skepticism surrounding his version of events during an interview on Good Morning America 

He then wrote Jake’s name on a form. 

The actor, who was 25 at the time, pleaded no contest to providing police with false information, driving while intoxicated and driving without a valid license. 

He was sentenced to two years probation and had to complete an alcohol awareness and education program. 

Smollett’s family, many of whom are also actors, have spoken out repeatedly in support of him since the January 29 attack as have many of his co-stars on Empire. 

Among them is Gabby Sidibe, his roommate at one time, who said on Instagram on Wednesday: ‘I know him. I believe him.’ 

Fox also insisted that he was not being written out of the show, as had been claimed, and called him a ‘consummate professional’ in a statement. 

Smollett’s lawyers include Mark Geragos, who has represented Michael Jackson and Colin Kaepernick, in the past. 

Neither Geragos nor his other attorneys, Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson, responded to inquiries on Wednesday about the case. 

Smollett being named as a suspect stands to further divide public opinion. 

When news of the attack first emerged on January 29 and 30, he was inundated with support across the political spectrum. 

Jussie Smollett told police in 2007 that he was his younger brother Jake (shown together) after being pulled over for a DUI 

Jussie Smollett told police in 2007 that he was his younger brother Jake (shown together) after being pulled over for a DUI 

Jussie Smollett's Empire cast mate and close friend Gabby Sidibe (pictured with him on the show) supports him as does the show which said on Wednesday that he was not being written out despite the growing controversy 

Jussie Smollett’s Empire cast mate and close friend Gabby Sidibe (pictured with him on the show) supports him as does the show which said on Wednesday that he was not being written out despite the growing controversy 

Among those who tweeted their condemnation of him were Democratic presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Cory Booker.  

But as days went by with no suspects on the horizon, details about the case and the police’s investigation into it began to cast doubt on Smollett’s version of events. 

One of the earliest sources of speculation was the fact that Smollett waited 42 minutes to call the police then refused to hand over his phone to the police for them to verify his story. 

He then handed over redacted files that police described as ‘insufficient’. 

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has recused herself because she spoke with a member of his family immediately afterwards and 'facilitated a connection' the police 

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has recused herself because she spoke with a member of his family immediately afterwards and ‘facilitated a connection’ the police 

Frustrated with the coverage of his case, he hit out at the media for reporting on leaked information coming from within the Chicago police department and insisted he was the victim. 

He then went on Good Morning America to protest his innocence. 

In an hour-long interview with Robin Roberts, he wept as he recalled the attack and abhorred the reaction to it. 

Choking back tears, he explained when asked why it took so long for him to contact the authorities: ‘There is a level of pride there. We live in a society where as a gay man you are considered somehow to be weak and I am not weak. I am not weak and we as a people are not weak.’ 

Later, he added how desperate he was for them to find footage of the attack. 

‘I want that video found so badly because, for probably four reasons. 

‘Number one, I want them to find the people that did it.

‘Number two, I want them to stop being able to say “alleged” attack. 

‘Number three,  I want them to see that I fought back,’ he continued, welling-up. 

‘I want a little gay boy who might watch this to see that I fought the f*** back. They ran off,’ I didn’t,’ he said. 

After it emerged that Smollett knew the brothers and may have been involved in the staging of the attack, the celebrities and politicians who rushed to support him walked back their claims. 

Nancy Pelosi deleted her tweet about it and Cory Booker said he would now be ‘withholding judgement’ until more information emerged. 

Kamala Harris said, when questioned about her tweet that it was a ‘modern day lynching’, that she was ‘very concerned’.  

Key moments in reported attack on actor Jussie Smollett

 January 29, 2019 

Smollet is seen with a cut cheek on Jan. 29

Smollet is seen with a cut cheek on Jan. 29

Jussie Smollett tells Chicago police he was physically attacked by two men in downtown Chicago while walking home from getting food from a Subway restaurant at 2am. 

The black and openly gay actor tells authorities the men used racial and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an ‘unknown substance’ on him. 

Smollett told detectives that the attackers yelled he was in ‘MAGA country,’ an apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ campaign slogan, which some critics of Trump have claimed is a racist dog whistle.

January 30

Chicago police say they’ve reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance camera footage, including of Smollett walking downtown, but none of the videos show the attack. 

Police obtain and release images of two people they would like to question.

Police released this image of 'persons of interest' taken near the reported attack

Police released this image of ‘persons of interest’ taken near the reported attack

Reports of Smollett’s attack draw outrage and support on social media, including from U.S. Senators Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren.

Both Booker and Harris called the incident a ‘modern day lynching’.

Joe Biden said: ‘We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts.’ 

January 31

Trump tells reporters at the White House that he saw a story the night before about Smollett and that, ‘It doesn’t get worse, as far as I’m concerned.’

Smollett’s family issues a statement calling the attack a racial and homophobic hate crime. 

Smollett’s family says he ‘has told the police everything’ and ‘his story has never changed,’ disputing assertions leveled on social media that he has been less than cooperative and changed his story.

February 1

Smollett issues a statement telling people that he is OK and thanking them for their support. 

He says he is working with authorities and has been ‘100 percent factual and consistent on every level.’

February 2

Smollett gives sold-out concert in West Hollywood, California, opening with an emotional speech, saying he had to play the show because he couldn’t let his attackers win.

At the end of the set, he announces that he fought back against his attackers, calling himself ‘the gay Tupac’.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters is in attendance at the concert. 

Smollet is seen performing on February 2, where he called himself 'the gay Tupac'

Smollet is seen performing on February 2, where he called himself ‘the gay Tupac’

February 5th: Chicago PD releases incident report which reveals Smollett did not want to call police. There is no mention of the MAGA country remark which he gave in a follow-up interview  

Brandon Z. Moore, his manager, gives police a screenshot to prove their call. 

February 11th: Smollett finally hands over redacted phone records to prove the phone call but police label them ‘insufficient’. 

His neighbors say they don’t believe his version of events. 

February 12th: Smollett’s rep releases statement to say he is the victim and that he has been telling the truth

February 14th:  Good Morning America airs the full interview with Smollett, in which he blasts speculation that the attack was staged as itself racist and hateful. 

Hours later, it emerges that two Nigerian brothers were picked up at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on their return from Nigeria the night before. 

Cops identify the two men as the individuals seen in the surveillance images released from the night of January 29 but will not share their names. 

Two television stations in Chicago simul report the widespread belief among investigators that Smollett staged the attack as a hate hoax. 

Chicago’s police superintendent later said that he had no evidence to prove that the attack was a hoax.

Producers of ‘Empire’ dispute media reports that Smollett’s character was being written off the show.

High-powered criminal defense attorney Michael Monico reveals that he is representing Smollett.

Brothers Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo, 27, and Abimbola 'Abel' Osundairo, 25, were detained by police on February 13

Brothers Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo, 27, and Abimbola ‘Abel’ Osundairo, 25, were detained by police on February 13

Police logs show the items that cops seized from the Nigerian brothers' Chicago home

Police logs show the items that cops seized from the Nigerian brothers' Chicago home

Police logs show the items that cops seized from the Nigerian brothers’ Chicago home

February 15

DailyMail.com confirms they are brothers Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo, 27, and Abimbola ‘Abel’ Osundairo, 25. 

Later, Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielimi says the two ‘persons of interest’ are now considered suspects. He says the men are in custody but have not been charged with a crime.

Chicago police release two men without charges after arresting them on suspicion of assaulting Smollett and holding them for nearly 48 hours. 

A police spokesman said the two are no longer considered suspects and that investigators have ‘new evidence’ to consider as a result of questioning them.

February 16

A police spokesman said that the investigation had ‘shifted’ after detectives questioned the two brothers about the attack and released them without charges.

Smollett hired Michael Cohen’s high-powered criminal defense attorney, Michael Monico, as the police investigation into the attack he reported last month took a sudden shift amid allegations of a hoax.

Smollett’s lawyers said on Saturday the actor felt ‘victimized by reports he played a role in the assault, and that Smollett would continue cooperating with police. 

February 17

A police spokesman said that Chicago police have told Smollett’s attorneys they want to do a follow-up interview with the actor.

A spokesperson for Smollett’s lawyers said she couldn’t comment on whether Smollett had agreed to another interview.

This is the letter Smollett allegedly received at the Fox studio, a week before the January 29 incident. No photographs of it emerged until after the alleged attack. He reported the letter to the police when he received it along with Empire producer Dennis Hammer 

This is the letter Smollett allegedly received at the Fox studio, a week before the January 29 incident. No photographs of it emerged until after the alleged attack. He reported the letter to the police when he received it along with Empire producer Dennis Hammer 

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx  recused herself from the Smollett case

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx  recused herself from the Smollett case

February 18 

Stars and politicians who spoke out in support of Smollett walk back their condemnation of the attack amid growing suspicion that it is a hoax

February 19 

The Osundairo brothers speak with police and prosecutors in Chicago but are halted at the last minute before going to testify before a grand jury.

Smollett hires Colin Kaepernick’s attorney Mark Geragos and his legal team present a ‘hail Mary’ piece of evidence which stops the brothers’ testimony 

State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx recuses herself from the case citing her ‘familiarity with potential witnesses’ 

Leaked information from the brothers’ meetings with prosecutors and police emerges. They reportedly claimed Smollett was involved in sending himself the letter on January 22 

February 20 

Fox says Smollett is not being written out of Empire contrary to reports and Smollett’s co-stars speak out in support of him. 

He is named as a suspect later in the afternoon and the brothers are seen entering grand jury offices at the courthouse.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk