Jussie Smollett allegedly orchestrated his January 29 Chicago attack because a racist, homophobic letter addressed to him on January 22 didn’t get a “bigger reaction,” according to sources.
Via TheGrapeJuice.net, a note addressed to the Empire star was mailed to Cinespace Studios, where the Fox show is filmed. The letter — containing a white substance later determined to be aspirin — contained a racist and homophobic message (pieced together from magazine images), as well as a picture of a stick figure hanging from a tree with a gun pointing toward it.
Related: Celebs React To Jussie Smollett’s Alleged Assault!
Per CBS 2 on Monday, a source told investigator Brad Edwards that the thespian “concocted the staged attack” after the letter “didn’t get enough attention.” Other sources corroborated this information.
Additionally, on Monday afternoon, fellow investigator Charlie De Mar spoke with brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo, who, per reports, were allegedly paid by Smollett to orchestrate the attack.
In a joint statement, the two said on the phone:
“We are not racist. We are not homophobic and we are not anti-Trump. We were born and raised in Chicago and are American citizens.”
Last week, when the Chicago Police Department searched the Osundairo brothers’ home, they reportedly found a magazine, a book of stamps, and a “piece of paper/writing.”
The Nigerian brothers’ attorney Gloria Schmidt said in a statement:
“In due course all the facts will reveal themselves, and at the end of the day, my clients are honest and credible.”
As we reported, the latest accusations against Smollett include the claim that he and the brothers allegedly rehearsed the attack days before the incident by scouting a location in front of the actor’s apartment.
Though their investigation has “shifted,” the Chicago PD have not officially declared Smollett a suspect.
[Image via Brian To/WENN.]