Update: According to the Associated Press, a judge has set Jussie Smollett’s bond at $100,000. In addition to the set bond, prosecutors say that Smollett gave the two brothers who helped him in the staged attack “detailed instructions.” The instructions included, “giving them specific slurs to yell and telling them to shout “MAGA country” and to drape a rope around his neck.” The actor is due back in court on March 14.
Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday morning and was arrested on a Class 4 felony charge for filing a false police report.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the Empire actor staged the attack. In a press conference early Thursday, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the actor sent a “false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language.”
He continued, “when that didn’t work, Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack and drag Chicago’s reputation through the mud” in the process. The stunt was orchestrated because he was “dissatisfied” with his salary.”
JUST IN: Chicago police:
Smollett sent "false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language. When that didn't work, Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack and drag Chicago's reputation through the mud" because he was "dissatisfied" with his salary. pic.twitter.com/jR5iVTPG0I
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 21, 2019
According to the Associated Press, police have phone records that reveal, “there were extensive communications between Smollett and two brothers before and after he says they helped the actor stage an attack against himself last month.”
Police also say that the two brothers are not considered suspects.
On Wednesday, Jussie Smollett was officially charged with disorderly conduct and filing a false police report. On January 29, Smollett claimed he was assaulted by two masked men in a racist and homophobic attack.
