It’s big news here in Chicago. CBS Chicago is reporting that there have been some serious developments in the Smollett case:
CHICAGO (CBS) — Jussie Smollett paid two brothers to stage an attack against him, directed them to buy items used in the alleged assault and actually rehearsed it with them, sources say.
Sources say at least one of the brothers bought the rope used in the incident at Smollett’s request. The sources also say the “Empire†actor paid for the rope, which was purchased at the Crafty Beaver Hardware Store in the Ravenswood neighborhood the weekend of Jan. 25.
Smollett’s legal team is punching back:
Smollett’s attorneys, Todd S. Pugh and Victor P. Henderson, released a statement Saturday about the latest allegations.
“As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.
“One of these purported suspects was Jussie’s personal trainer who he hired to ready him physically for a music video. It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity.
I do not know the truth of the matter. We will need to wait for more developments.
I can only add that in Illinois making a false police report is a violation of llinois Statutes Chapter 720. Criminal Offenses § 5/26-1, is deemed “Disorderly Conduct”, and is punishable by jail time, fines, and possible civil suit. The fines are capped at $10,000.
If the charge turns out to have been a fraud, it would be deeply distressing. It would be the second time in as many weeks of a high profile charge of crimes related to bigotry turning out to have been wrong.
The situation reminds me of nothing so much as a Soviet disinformation campaign. You would be shocked at how many horrible things you probably believe the United States has done that had their origins in Soviet disinformation campaigns.
I hadn’t heard anything about this until recently. Sad whichever way it turns out.
I didn’t think the story rang true when it was first published. “This MAGA country n***er” seemed overwritten, but I didn’t necessarily know whether Smollett was behind it or whether whomever attacked him was concealing what was going on.
If he made it up, I can’t blame the Chicago P.D. or F.B.I. for throwing the book at him.
I can also imagine him or his legal team spinning it so he is a victim nonetheless.