The story of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett keeps getting more and more bizarre. One minute, media says Smollett staged the attack; the next minute police are being called in for allegedly delivering false information to news outlets.
Now reports show that the check Smollett signed was not for the attack –as previously reported – but instead for training and nutrition program, according to the brothers’ attorney Gloria Schmidt. Schmidt confirmed the new information on ”Good Morning America,” saying the check was for the brothers, who were hired to train Smollett for a music video shoot. However, Schmidt also confirmed that while the check reads that it was for training, it was actually a payment to the brothers to stage the attack.
These new findings completely go against what police Superintendent #EddieJohnson said in his first news conference, claiming, ”Smollet paid $3,500 to stage this attack and drag Chicago’s reputation through the mud in the process.” It also comes right after a grand jury issued Smollett a 16-count indictment for each alleged false statement the actor made. However, Police are now being brought in for questioning.
In an interview with GMA’s George Stephanopolous, Schmidt said brothers Abindola and Olabinjo Osundairo were asked by Smollett to stage the attack as a “favor” to the star. Schmidt said the brothers “were just taken advantage of by someone they trusted.” “This was someone who the brothers thought could help their career. … Someone they had trusted to consider their best interest,” Schmidt said. When asked directly if the check was for training, Schmidt explained it was for more than what was written on the payment. “They were paid for the training … but they were also asked to do this favor for him,” she told Stephanopoulos. If you’re friends, and I’m saying ‘Hey, I’m going to pay you for training, I’m also asking you to do me a favor’ … and the favor was to stage the attack.” Lastly, she added, “I’m confident that they did not do a hate crime.”
Smollett is set to appear in court next Thursday.
