Update: At 5:17 p.m., a spokesperson from the Chicago Police Department tweeted, “Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by Chicago Police for filing a false police report.” Approximately three hours later, the Chicago Police Department confirmed the charges with the Cook County State Attorney’s Office. Subsequently, the spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department tweeted, “Felony criminal charges have been approved by Cook County’s State Attorney Office against Jussie Smollett for Disorderly Conduct / Filing a False Police Report.”
In a bombshell release on Wednesday, the Chicago PD officially listed Jussie Smollett as a suspect. According to a report from TMZ, Smollett is a suspect for allegedly filing a false police report in connection to his alleged attack on January 29th. The case is currently being heard by a grand jury. Should Smollet be charged, he could be facing up to three years in prison.
Originally the attack was being investigated as a hate crime against Smollett but details on the case have been muddied recently. Two brothers were brought in for questioning by the Chicago PD last week, but they have since been released. The two of them now claim Smollett paid them to carry out the attack on himself. Their testimonies, along with inconsistencies in Smollett’s own story have caused investigators to doubt the validity of the attacks.
The brothers claim Smollet paid them $3500 to carry out the attack. While TMZ could confirm that Smollett wrote a check to the men for that amount, its unclear what that money was for. Both brothers are expected to testify in the case. Those close to Smollett claim it was for a workout session and dieting help. Sources close to the brothers confirmed that he indeed paid the brothers for training, they also note that the $3500 is more than he owed the brothers for that.
Regardless of the outcome, keep an eye on DefPen for updates as Smollett’s Grand Jury trial continues.
