Jussie Smollett is now facing a felony charge for allegedly filing a false police report, and new video reported by CBS is adding to the questions in the case.
Smollett has said two men wearing ski masks and a red MAGA hat attacked him in a racist and homophobic assault in Chicago on Jan. 29. Police now allege the attack was staged. CBS reports it obtained store video that shows the two brothers questioned in the case, Ola and Abel, buying a red hat and ski masks the day before the reported attack.
The brothers were arrested last week and later released without charges. According to police sources, they told investigators Smollett paid them $3,500 to stage the attack, which included pouring a chemical on him and placing a rope around his neck. Sources also told Chicago media that Smollett paid for the rope, which was bought at a hardware store in the Ravenswood neighborhood the weekend of Jan. 25. Those same sources say the brothers took a ride share to the area and appeared nervous on camera.
The sources also say the brothers told police Smollett wanted the attack to happen before Jan. 29 and that they rehearsed it in the days before.
Smollett has maintained that he was the victim of a crime and has denied making up the attack. The felony count of disorderly conduct for filing a false report can carry a sentence ranging from probation up to three years. None of these claims have been tested in court, and Smollett is presumed innocent.
