Police: ‘Jussie Smollett staged attack to boost career and salary’

Actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staged his own racist attack to raise his profile after becoming unhappy with his salary on hit show Empire, according to police officials.
The star was arrested early on Thursday (21Feb19), hours after he was indicted on felony charges of disorderly conduct and filing a false police report.
He had hit headlines last month (Jan19) after claiming he had been targetted by two masked white men outside his Chicago, Illinois apartment, where he was beaten up, had a bleach-like liquid poured on him, and had a noose rope tied around his neck, all while the attackers allegedly hurled racial and homophobic slurs at him.
However, after questioning “potential suspects” Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, they were released without charge, and investigators began questioning Smollett’s story. They now believe he paid the Nigerian brothers $3,500 (£2,700) to take part in the fake hate crime.
Police superintendent Eddie Johnson explained their theory during a press conference following Smollett’s arrest, during which he also claimed the singer/actor was responsible for sending a threatening letter to himself at the Fox Studios in Chicago, where he films Empire, shortly before the incident.
The visibly angry top cop branded the alleged hoax “shameful”, and told reporters Smollett planned the whole thing because he was “dissatisfied with his salary” on the hip-hop drama series, and wanted to “further his own public profile”.
“This announcement today recognises that Empire actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career,” Johnson said. “Why would anyone, especially an African-American, use a noose… to further his public profile?”
Johnson also declared the bruises and scratches the star had sustained to his face during the purported attack had been “self-inflicted”.
Prior to Smollett’s surrender to cops, his attorneys issued a defiant statement and “vowed to mount an aggressive defence”.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” the release read.
Smollett, who had previously insisted he was telling the truth, appeared in court on Thursday afternoon for a bond hearing, although the judge’s decision had yet to be announced as WENN went to press.
He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.
Meanwhile, TV bosses at Fox, who had previously stood by Smollett, have revealed they are keeping a close eye on the legal developments as they weigh his future on Empire.
“We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process,” they shared in a statement. “We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.”