Chicago police have said they still want to do a follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett about a reported attack that the ‘Empire’ star said included his assailants yelling racial and homophobic slurs.
Guglielmi said Sunday Police have told Smollett’s attorneys they want to do a follow-up interview with the actor, Police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said on Sunday, after saying earlier that the investigation had ‘shifted’ after detectives questioned two brothers about the attack and released them without charges.
Guglielmi said he couldn’t comment on reports that police believe the actor staged the assault.
A spokesperson for Smollett’s lawyers said on Sunday she couldn’t comment on whether Smollett had agreed to another interview.
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.
Chicago police have said they still want to do a follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett about a reported attack that the ‘Empire’ star said included his assailants yelling racial and homophobic slurs, after saying earlier that the investigation had ‘shifted’ after detectives questioned two brothers about the attack and released them without charges
A grand jury is slated to hear the Jussie Smollett case next week, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation into the Empire actor’s alleged hoax attack, though Guglielmi said he couldn’t comment on whether a grand jury may hear evidence in the case.
Chicago police insiders told TMZ that authorities are keeping a close eye on two Nigerian brothers, who were arrested and questioned about the attack before being released on Friday, to make sure that Smollett doesn’t try to contact them.
Investigators have said they believe Smollett may have paid Empire extras Abimbola ‘Abel’ and Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo $3,500 to assault him in an orchestrated, rehearsed attack on January 29.
Sources say Smollett initially agreed to sign complaints against his assailants, but declined to do so once he heard that Abel and Ola were the men in custody because he knew them and felt bad for them.
Reports of a possible grand jury emerged hours after the Chicago Police Department said Smollett was not yet being considered an official suspect, despite insider claims to the contrary.
‘We have some information that needs to be corroborated and verified with the Empire cast member before we can answer this question,’ CPD said in a statement to TMZ.
‘After new developments, we’ve reached out to his attorney and requested additional time to interview him.’
Smollett has furiously denied claims that he orchestrated the assault and said ‘nothing could be further from the truth’.
Inside sources told TMZ there will be a grand jury convened next week to decide whether to file formal charges against Smollett’s alleged attackers. Reports of the grand jury came just after it was claimed that two Nigerian brothers Jussie Smollett is accused of paying $3,500 to attack him, Abimbola ‘Abel’ (left) and Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo (right), allegedly told police that the trio rehearsed the assault beforehand
Smollett (above four days after the attack) had claimed that the assailants ‘yelled out racial and homophobic slurs’ as they tied a rope around his neck and poured an unknown substance that he suspected was bleach on him
Abel and Ola reportedly told detectives that the 2am attack was supposed to happen earlier and that they did a practice run beforehand, according to CBS Chicago.
Sources said one of the brothers put a rope around Smollett’s neck and poured bleach over him while the other wore a red hat and yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him.
The brothers, who reportedly had a relationship with Smollett and were extras on Empire, told authorities they had bought the items used in the attack at the actor’s direction.
Smollett had told police that on January 29, two assailants tied a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him while yelling ‘Empire f****t’ and ‘Empire n*****’ at him.
That narrative, however, is now under serious scrutiny by investigators, who reportedly have evidence that Smollett directed his ‘attackers’ to buy the rope used in the ‘assault’ at a local hardware store.
Documents prove two Nigerian brothers, who work as extras on the highly rated Fox drama, bought the rope which was found around Smollett’s neck at Crafty Beaver Hardware Store in Chicago.
Sources said that the brothers used Smollett’s money when they made the purchase on the weekend of January 25.
They also bought two red plain hats that they wore during the alleged attack, according to sources close to the investigation.
Police believe that the red hats were purchased at a local beauty supply store in the Uptown section of Chicago.
‘We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation,’ Guglielmi said.
‘We’ve reached out to the Empire cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview.’
Chicago police are now ‘eager to speak to Jussie Smollett’ in light of the new information that was uncovered, according to ABC News.
‘We have been in touch with Smollett’s attorneys,’ a Chicago Police Department spokesperson said. ‘We made our intentions clear.’
Smollett sat down with ABC’s Robin Roberts to discuss the alleged attack on Friday
Scene: ‘I was bruised but my ribs were not cracked, they were not broken. I went to the doctor immediately … but I was not hospitalized,’ said Smollett (map with inset of the scene where the attack occurred just outside Smollett’s apartment)
Chicago PD confirmed on Thursday that the pair seen in this image from surveillance footage around the time of the attack on January 29 (above) were Abel and Ola Osundairo
Ola and Abel were picked up at O’Hare Airport while disembarking a flight from Nigeria on Wednesday night.
The brothers were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised another $500 upon returning, according to WBBM-TV.
Earlier on Saturday, Smollett hired Michael Cohen’s high-powered criminal defense attorney, as the police investigation into the attack he reported last month took a sudden shift amid allegations of a hoax.
Attorney Michael Monico, a former federal prosecutor in the Northern District of Illinois, revealed in a radio interview on Thursday in Chicago that he is representing Smollett.
Monico, speaking on WGN’s The Roe Conn Show, did not reveal how long he has been representing Smollet or in what capacity. Monico last month took over as co-counsel for Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer.
Michael Monico (above) revealed that he is Smollett’s lawyer in a radio interview on Thursday
It came as police in Chicago suddenly released the two Nigerian extras on Smollett’s show, who had previously been described as suspects in the attack, saying that ‘new evidence’ had emerged in their interrogations that requires further detective work.
‘Due to new evidence as a result of today’s interrogations, the individuals questioned by police in the Empire case have now been released without charging and detectives have additional investigative work to complete,’ Guglielmi said in a statement on Friday night.
The Osundairo brothers’ attorney, Gloria Schmidt, spoke briefly to reporters after their release, hinting that Smollett’s legal future could hold difficulties.
‘There’s so many moving parts to this that will come out in time,’ Schmidt said when asked if her clients had helped Smollett stage the attack. ‘I’m going to let them tell their story when the time is right.’
Smollett has vigorously denied speculation that details of the attack were fabricated or staged, speaking out in an interview that aired on Wednesday just hours before the Osundairo brothers were detained.
It is unclear at this time what the Osundairo brothers told police that would alter the course of the investigation.
JUSSIE SMOLLETT COULD GET 3 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FILING A FALSE REPORT TO POLICE
Mitchell Dutz, 18, was sentenced to three years in Illinois state prison for fabricating claims that three black men stole a car with a 13-month-old infant inside
Filing a false report to police in the State of Illinois is considered an act of disorderly conduct, which is a Class 4 felony.
That means that anyone found guilty could face between one and three years in prison.
By law, the crime of disorderly conduct is committed in Illinois by anyone who ‘transmits or causes to be transmitted in any manner to any peace officer, public officer or public employee a report to the effect that an offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed, knowing at the time of the transmission that there is no reasonable ground for believing that the offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed.’
Last week, a central Illinois man was sentenced to three years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to fabricating an Amber alert.
On December 15, Mitchell Dutz, 18, told police that three black men stole his car with a 13-month-old infant inside.
Dutz used a social media photo of a child he did not know to claim that there was a kidnapping, according to Peoria Journal Star.
But police rescinded the Amber alert after it became clear that it was a hoax.
Dutz pleaded guilty to motor-vehicle burglary and disorderly conduct.
Last month, a Chicago woman was charged with a felony after she allegedly made a 911 call that turned out to be a ‘swatting’ incident.
Keesha S. Ingram, 41, allegedly called police before dawn on December 11 to report that a man was threatening to shoot his wife in their home in Warren Township.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the call. They arrived at the scene and set up a perimeter around the house.
Illinois police have issued an arrest warrant for Keesha S. Ingram, 41, who has been charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly calling police and fabricating claims that a man was threatening to shoot his wife
After making contact with the residents inside, the deputies determined there was no incident to warrant an arrest, according to the Daily Herald.
Authorities then determined that they were dealing with a ‘swatting’ incident whereby a person falsely reports an ongoing crime at a particular address in order to harass the individual who lives there.
An investigation led back to Ingram, who is alleged to have known one of the people who lived in the Warren Township home.
Investigators believe Ingram made the swatting call out of revenge against the victim, whom she accused of not paying her money that was owed to her.
Ingram is still on the loose and is wanted for arrest, according to Patch.
Late on Friday, police sources said that cops had seized a bottle of bleach from Smollett’s apartment, according to Fox News correspondent Matt Finn.
Meanwhile, new information surfaced about the Osundairo brothers, who in the course of 48 hours went from ‘potential persons of interest’ to ‘potential suspects’ to being under arrest because investigators had ‘probable cause that they were involved in a crime’ to being set free.
Since their release on Friday night, they have been staying at an undisclosed location.
Police said that the brothers were the two men who were seen on a surveillance image released to the public, and Smollett positively identified the two men in the image as his attackers in a televised interview.
The two brothers are both strongly opposed to President Donald Trump and fervently pro-LGBT, fellow Empire cast and crew members tell TMZ. Both men are said to be loyal fans of former President Barack Obama.
Smollett is said to be close with the brothers and would frequently approach them on set to discuss health and fitness.
Colleagues on the tight-knit Empire set said they had a hard time imagining that the Osundairo brothers could have been involved in the kind of homophobic and bigoted attack that Smollett described.
Abimbola, pictured, was booked on DUI and speeding charges in July 2015 according to Chicago arrest records. The brothers were picked up at Chicago O’Hare Airport on Wednesday
Police initially said that they tied the brothers to the reported attack using meticulous investigative efforts, including surveillance videos and information from ride-sharing companies.
Although Smollett said he did not know who attacked him, both brothers are known to the actor and he follows them on social media.
Their shared Instagram account also features a video of them working out at the private gym in Smollett’s luxury apartment block.
The brothers left Chicago for Nigeria hours after the attack.
Celebrities rally behind Empire’s Jussie Smollett after he is ‘brutally attacked’ in Chicago
Celebrities and fans alike rallied to lend their support to Jussie Smollett after the 35-year-old actor claimed he was attacked last month.
Janet Jackson took to her Twitter to share a special message for the actor, along with a photo of the two of them together.
‘Sending so much luv and healing energy your way @jussiesmollett. we know that you’ll continue to change the world,’ added Fergie.
The sentiment was shared by Shonda Rhimes, who said: ‘Sending love, healing, and support to @jussiesmollett. We ALL have a responsibility to rise up against the ignorance and hate out there. If you know who did this, REPORT THEM TO THE POLICE.’
Naomi Campbell posted a impassioned plea to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to find the people responsible for the attack.
Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack. We support you and pray that you find peace and justice,’ said John Legend.
‘This is heartbreaking and terrifying…please pay attention to what’s happening here,’ said Zendaya. ‘Sending all my love to @JussieSmollett.’
‘No words. Love to you @JussieSmollett,’ added Margaret Cho.
‘This is horrifying,’ said Jamilah Lemieux. ‘We love you @JussieSmollett. May justice be swift and unflinching.’
‘@JussieSmollett I love you,’ said Tika Sumpter
‘@JussieSmollett praying you have a full and speedy recovery. So sorry this happened to you, added Raegan Gomez.
Many condemned the racist and homophobic behavior and demanded justice.
Ana Navarro said: ‘I saw Jussie Smollett in Miami last week. I can’t believe this happened. It is sad and disgusting and and deplorable.’
The sentiment was shared by Reverend Al Sharpton, who added: ‘The reported hate attack on my friend and brother, actor Jussie Smollett is despicable and outrageous. The guilty must face the maximum.’
‘Sending so much love and prayers to you, @jussiesmollett. I’m in disbelief of what happened to you,’ added Eva Longoria. ‘It’s a senseless act that shall be met with justice! I can’t believe this is happening in 2019. This world has no room for hate. #AwaitingJustice’
Others took the moment to throw criticism at ‘gay jokes’ and Kevin Hart’s recent appearance on Ellen where he addressed the controversy surrounding his hosting the Oscars.
Actor Ryan Jamaal Swain stated: ‘This is why holding “a little homophobic joke'”accountable is taken so FREAKING SERIOUSLY. To quote @amandaseales, you have to be overly confident…black gay men have to deal w/ not only racism but homophobia.’ It is always abt duality and a form of respect. @JussieSmollett
‘Given what we’ve seen so far, I fully expect the men who attacked Jussie Smollett to score a sit-down interview with Ellen at some point in the next few weeks,’ said Saeed Jones. ‘Maybe it will be a roundtable discussion with Kevin Hart.’
Their shared apartment was also raided by police, who took away bottles of bleach, electronics, a red hat and a pair of Nike shoes.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation after Smollett reported receiving hate mail.
Federal investigators have taken the lead on the mail case, and are supporting Chicago police in the investigation into Smollett’s report of an assault.
Police have been cautious in their official public statements about the case. At last report, investigators still officially considered Smollett a victim in the case.
Smollett has continued to angrily denounce any speculation that the attack did not occur as he described, ascribing racist motives to skeptics and saying that no one would doubt him if he had reported being attacked by non-white assailants.
‘I will never be the man that this did not happen to,’ he told ABC on Wednesday. ‘I am forever changed.’
Key moments in reported attack on actor Jussie Smollett
January 29, 2019
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 out 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
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 a 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’
February 13
Good Morning America airs an emotional interview with Smollett, in which he blasts speculation that the attack was staged as itself racist and hateful.
Hours later, Chicago police pick up two Nigerian brothers at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on their return from Nigeria.
Cops identify the two men as the individuals seen in the surveillance images released from the night of January 29. They were identified using records from a ride sharing service.
Sources confirmed that the men were brothers Olabinjo ‘Ola’ Osundairo, 27, and Abimbola ‘Abel’ Osundairo, 25.
Both had worked on Empire and they were known to be close to Smollett.
Cops questioned them about the case. Police also searched the apartment where the men live.
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
February 14
Two television stations in Chicago 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.
February 15
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.
Hours later, 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.