The brothers in the Jussie Smollett case have walked away with no repercussions, even though they admitted to attacking the “Empire” actor before claiming it was a hoax set up by him. One of the brothers, Abel Osundairo, appears to be flourishing. He just won a boxing competition in Chicago on Friday night. In addition, the brothers’ fitness training business is reportedly on fire.
But as their futures were looking bright, their past may be coming back to haunt them: Olabinjo Osundairo was charged with attempted murder in 2011.
See Also: Complete Timeline Of Jussie Smollett Investigation
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that two months ago, but it was apparently ignored or overlooked by most media outlets.
“Court records show that Olabinjo Osundairo was charged with attempted murder in a 2011 stabbing that occurred in the 4200 block of North Ashland,” the Sun-Times wrote in late February. “That is less than a block from the home that police raided in the Smollett investigation, where they recovered personal effects, including cell phones, a source said.”
Olabinjo Osundairo allegedly reached a plea deal “with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to aggravated battery; he was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $674 fine.”
The Chicago Police Department’s entire case against Smollett appeared to be centered on everything that Osundairo stated. That said, all 16 felony accounts against the “Empire” actor were dropped.
TMZ reported earlier this month Gloria Schmidt, their former lawyer, told them to speak out publicly but they are refusing so she “bailed on them, saying she didn’t want to rep them anymore.”
Back on March 11, Schmidt appeared on Good Morning America for an awkward interview. Schmidt told George Stephanopoulos that the $3,500 the Chicago Police Department claimed the brothers were paid for staging the attack was actually for fitness training.
“They were paid for the training … but they were also asked to do this favor for him,” she said.
When pressed about whether there was any evidence to back up their claims, she said they were asked to “do this favor.”
When pushed on what incentive brothers had to stage the attacked, Schmidt said, “If you’re friends, and I’m saying ‘Hey, I’m going to pay you for training, I’m also asking you to do me a favor’ … and the favor was to stage the attack.”
Schmidt claimed the brothers also feel “taken advantage of,” but she wouldn’t directly answer if she thought the attack was a hoax.
“I’m confident that they did not do a hate crime,” Schmidt said.
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In addition, according to court documents, the Associated Press claims, “Chicago police provided a six-night hotel stay with separate rooms and 24-hour security.” The hotel stay was “from Feb. 15 to Feb. 21 at the Chicago South Loop Hotel near the city’s McCormick Place convention center.” Also, “Assistance for food and incidentals were also provided” one report read. Rates for the Chicago South Loop Hotel are around $229 per night.
On Jan. 29, while walking to a subway, Smollett claimed two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, investigators told The Hollywood Reporter. They allegedly punched and poured bleach on him while one of the suspects put a rope around his neck. As they fled the scene, Smollett told police they said, “This is MAGA country.”
The city of Chicago is now suing Smollett for a half a million dollars. Kim Foxx, the Cook County State Attorney, has been attacked by the Chicago Police and is calling for a prob into the investigation.
Jussie Smollett has maintained his innocence.
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