Jussie Smollett will be held accountable by the Chicago Police Department if his allegations in a police report about being attacked turn out to be false.
Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson reportedly indicated that the “Empire” actor is still considered a victim in the case but that could change if police learn he had fabricated the alleged potential hate crime.
Smollett claims he was attacked late one night by two men in downtown Chicago who hurled racial and homophobic slurs at him, poured an unknown liquid on him and put a rope around his neck. Confusion about whether or not the attackers screamed, “This is MAGA country!” prompted some to question Smollett’s report. Additionally, police were unable to secure video surveillance footage that could corroborate the actor’s story and the 36-year-old actor has also refused to turn over his phone records.
Police Superintendent Johnson reportedly told Fox 32 reporter Rafer Weigel on Tuesday that the Department intends to follow through if they find Smollett has not been truthful.
#ChicagoPolice Supt Eddie Johnson says #JussieSmollett is still being treated as the victim in this case but if the investigation does reveal he made a false report he will be held accountable.
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
The openly gay actor insisted he has been “consistent on every level” with the police, according to an Associated Press report last week.
Fox News National Correspondent Matt Finn reported the Chicago Police were preparing for “possible interrogations.”
#JussieSmollett updates
•CPD: no video yet of the “redneck” with a rope & redneck description didn’t match w suspects.
•Subway in hand? PD holding that detail to see if people coming forward match w/ they have on cam.
•CPD: getting ‘ducks in row’ for possible interrogations.— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) February 5, 2019
In a related story, Weigel clapped back at critics who have slammed him for reporting updates on the case using anonymous sources within the Chicago Police Department.
How do you know it’s not the truth
? Anonymous sourcing is the backbone of journalism. Do we know the truth about the Mueller investigation? No but reporters tell what inside sources are saying. I reported what an officer says he saw on tape. I stand by my reporting.— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Weigel’s remarks including DeRay Mckesson didn’t sit too well with the Black Lives Matter activist who tweeted back at the reporter.
No, my criticism isn’t based on “resentment,” @RaferWeigel. I’m noting that you *literally* print *every* thing that the Chicago Police tell you about Jussie & have not indicated that you’ve done any research of your own — just these random PD “sources.” https://t.co/bFzVDmsicP
— deray (@deray) February 5, 2019
Because they are the ones closest to the investigation. I am not saying anything beyond what they’re telling me and what #Smollett has said. Just as WH aides leaked the “executive time” story. That’s how anonymous sourcing works. Please tell me what I should be doing differently
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 5, 2019
Meanwhile, TMZ reported Thursday that the “Empire” show has hired a private security company which met with FBI agents about inspecting all incoming mail to the set, following a threatening letter that was allegedly sent to Smollett days before the attack.
“Our sources say the security team has already flagged ‘hate mail,’ but we’re told that it’s nothing new,” TMZ reported. “The show has been targeted by racists and homophobes in the past, but now everyone is on high alert and the FBI is screening all of it.”
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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