Source: VALERIE MACON / Getty
Chicago PD Charge Jussie Smollett With Making A False Report
***UPDATE***
Jussie Smollett has been charged with a crime. The Associated Press reports that Jussie’s charged with disorderly conduct for falsely reporting an attack on Jan. 29. The charge is a Class 4 felony that carries a possible prison sentence of 1-3 years or probation.
The news comes after his alleged “attackers” testified for 2 1/2 hours before a grand jury today, Wednesday, Feb. 20.
AP reports that the men in question, brothers Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, told their attorney Gloria Schmidt that they wanted to “man up” and “correct this” before giving their testimony.
Jussie’s attorneys have released a statement and they’re imploring that he’s considered innocent until proven guilty. They’re also promising an “aggressive defense” of the actor.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”
This story is still developing…
***END UPDATE***
The chief communications officer from the Chicago Police department has confirmed today Jussie Smollett is now being investigated as a criminal.
Anthony Guglielmi wrote in a tweet: “Case Update: Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury.”
Previously, Jussie filed a report saying he was the victim of a completely random racist and homophobic attack as he walked to a Subway in Chicago. As evidence unfolds, the details of the attack seem to make less and less sense to investigators. Today, before a Grand Jury, Chicago Detectives presented evidence that the “attack” may have been staged. Two Nigerian brothers also thwart Jussie’s story during a police interview, claiming he paid them to attack him.
Today, store video of the Nigerian brothers purchasing MAGA hats and ski masks has surfaced. The brothers reportedly told police Jussie asked them to stage the entire attack and this supports their story. CBS Chicago found the footage of them purchasing the items right before they allegedly attacked Jussie.
(If the video below fails to play click here.)
Details of this investigation are unfolding rapidly, but we will keep you updated.