The Smollett soap opera continues. While out on a $100,000 bond, Smollett continues to maintain his innocence. and is next due in court on March 8.
In the latest twist, the Empire actor claims the check for $3,500 to the two brothers who ‘staged his attack’ was for a ‘training fee’.
Indeed, the memo line on the check reads: ‘
Meanwhile, the brothers have already confessed they were hired to stage an attack on Smollett and police have their receipts for the purchase of items to be used in the hoax.
An outraged Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson called out Smollett for allegedly lying to investigators:
‘Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations?’ Johnson said. ‘How can an individual who’s been embraced by the city of Chicago turn around and sslap everyone in this city in the face by making these false claims?’
If it turns out that Smollett did this just for attention — and to get a raise on the Empire TV show, supporters who rushed to his defense are going to be pretty peeved as well.