In the latest development of the Jussie Smollett investigation, the FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service are investigating whether Jussie Smollett played a role in sending a threatening letter addressed to himself at “Empire’s” Chicago studio prior to the alleged attack, according to federal officials. Investigation of the Smollett case has gradually caused attention to point toward Smollett, who police would like to question again.
The threatening letter, which was sent January 22, 2019 is in an FBI crime lab for analysis, according to a federal source.
Police sources: @JussieSmollett rehearsed attack https://t.co/6BmiZ7Fc1G @RaferWeigel reports pic.twitter.com/qz21VS7smA
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) February 19, 2019
Retweeted police report filed when #JussieSmollett called PD about the hate mail sent to #Empire set. Removed officer’s names from previous tweet. Says responding officers were wearing body cameras. pic.twitter.com/qyyMttyFkC
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 19, 2019
#CPD confirm AP report they’re investigating a tip that on the night #JussieSmollett reported being attacked by two masked men he was in an elevator of his apartment building with two brothers. @Chicago_Police are interviewing a witness who says he saw them all together.
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 19, 2019
Here is a list of items CPD took from brothers home in #JessieSmollett case: bleach, a red hat, a receipt (PD says was for the rope) and a magazine that according to our source “was similar” to the one used in the letter that was sent to #Smollett pic.twitter.com/iS52wXp95D
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 18, 2019
Monday night February 18, 2019, news circulated that Nigerian brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo claimed they helped Smollett concoct the alleged assault when Smollett became upset after he received a letter threatening him, and that the letter addressed to the “Empire” show’s studio, did not get enough attention. Police had detained the Osundairo brothers Thursday February 13, 2019; but did not confirm there was any hoax.
The Osundairo brothers admitted to investigators that Smollett paid them to participate in a staged January 29, 2019 attack, laced with racial and homophobic slurs. Smollett said that hateful attack occurred near his Chicago apartment, that rope was used as a noose, and that a chemical — possibly bleach — was used in the attack.
After the attack, Smollett walked home with a rope around his neck while talking to his music manager on his cell phone, which investigators found suspicious. Suspicion also was raised when it was learned that Smollett knew his alleged attackers.
Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo agreed to cooperate with authorities looking forward when detectives revealed they had evidence that the brothers bought the rope, allegedly used in the attack.
The brothers were released by police, and no one has been charged in connection with the case. After their release, Chicago police announced the trajectory of the investigation had changed.
Case Update: Due to new evidence as a result of today's interrogations, the individuals questioned by police in the Empire case have now been released without charging and detectives have additional investigative work to complete. pic.twitter.com/Hswn1Qjgcy
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 16, 2019
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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NEW: Feds investigating whether Jussie Smollett played a role in sending threatening letter addressed to him at "Empire’s" Chicago studio prior to alleged attack, two federal officials confirm to @ABC News. https://t.co/QgBfs6ddnA pic.twitter.com/G5bEJ7En5S
— ABC News (@ABC) February 19, 2019
Chicago detectives want to speak to actor Jussie Smollett — but it's not clear when, or if, that will happen https://t.co/lS14E2flpS pic.twitter.com/85ALIpc4HM
— CNN (@CNN) February 19, 2019
Here's the timeline of the investigation into the reported assault on Jussie Smollett. https://t.co/UrNbitLEpx
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 19, 2019
Chicago Police say they received a tip that Jussie Smollett and his two alleged attackers were seen together in an elevator the night of the incident. https://t.co/yqogI09JAI pic.twitter.com/4pohdiQHC3
— Complex (@Complex) February 19, 2019
Feds questioning if Jussie Smollett sent threatening letter to himself https://t.co/oHLAzl5lT9 pic.twitter.com/8yUl3KkRqZ
— Page Six (@PageSix) February 19, 2019