Jussie Smollett’s “Heavily Redacted” Phone Records “Are Not Sufficient,” Officials May Request More Information From Smollett to Help His Hate Crime Attack Case

After two weeks of misinformation and speculation in the wake of Jussie Smollett’s racist, homophobic attack in Chicago, the “Empire” actor has officially turned over his phone records – but since, Smollett’s evidence was ”limited and heavily redacted,”  officials remain at a standstill in the case. 

Back in January, Smollett was attacked in what Chicago police called a hate crime, based on the actor’s details and description. 

According to the police report, Smollett said he was attacked by two men who were screaming homophobic and racial slurs. As the men approached, the actor was beaten “about the face” and doused in a substance believed to have been bleach. 

Later, officials found Smollett with stained clothing and a “white rope draped around” his neck. Smollett was then treated for injuries at a local hospital. 

Upon further investigation, officials pulled surveillance footage of the area, but were unable to identify any persons of interest in the incident. Police then requested Smollett’s phone records to verify the claim that the men screamed, “MAGA County,” which was confirmed by Smollett’s manager who claimed to have been on the phone at the time of the incident. However, Smollett refused. 

Two weeks later, the actor turned over his documents. But according to the Chicago Tribune, the records were heavily redacted and limited to the points where they were “not sufficient and do not meet the burden of a criminal investigation.” 

As a result, officials may require even more information from Smollett.