Smollett was investigated following his report of having been attacked by two men in masks who called him racist and homophobic slurs. He had also previously claimed that he believed the attackers were supporters of US President Donald Trump. The attackers were later discovered to be brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo. They, however, told investigators they were paid to take part in a hoax.
“After we spoke to the former suspects last night, detectives reached out to Jussie Smollett’s attorneys and expressed interest that we need to talk to him again,” said Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department, confirming that the brothers are no longer suspects.
One of the brothers, both of whom were detained last week, was an extra on Smollett’s television show. By the end of the same week, both brothers were released without charges.
The actor’s attorneys released a statement on Saturday, claiming “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,” the statement continued. “Nothing is further from the truth, and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”
Smollett, according to Johnson, scarred the city of Chicago in a manner that it "didn't earn and certainly didn't deserve." He further called upon the actor "to apologise to this city that he smeared."
"Celebrities, news commentators, and even presidential candidates weighed in on something that was choreographed by an actor," he continued."What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments?!" Trump wrote on Twitter on Thursday morning in response to the new developments in Smollett's case.
.@JussieSmollett - what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2019