Jussie Smollett hoax ‘attackers’ make grovelling apology for taking part in ‘phony’ racist and homophobic incident cops say Empire star staged
Brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo previously said they were paid by the Empire star to get him into shape for a music video
THE brothers accused of helping actor Jussie Smollett stage a "racist and homophobic" attack have issued a grovelling apology as the alleged hoax continues to unravel.
Abimbola 'Abel' and Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo shared their "tremendous regret" days after police arrested Smollett for trying to boost his career by playing the victim.
The pair were hired by Smollett to act as attackers in the ";phony" violent street assault that happened at the end of January, according to Chicago police.
Abel and Ola are said to be cooperating with a police investigation into the "despicable" hoax and have now spoken out to apologise to "minorities and victims of hate crime" for their roles.
The brothers previously claimed Smollett paid them £3,000 to help him improve his fitness for a music video, and not stage a fake racist attack.
A few days before the alleged beating Smollett paid them via cheque, with a memo attached reading "5 weeks training nutrition plan".
BROTHERS' STATEMENT
But today their attorney released a statement which read: "My clients have a tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation, and they understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves."
Smollett said two masked men attacked him in downtown Chicago on January 29, shouting racist and homophobic abuse before tying a noose around his neck.
The US star, who came out as gay in 2015, added the alleged attack left him "forever changed" in a tearful interview days later.
But furious cops then announced the incident was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the actor to "promote his career".
Why would anyone, especially an African American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations.
Chicago Police chief Eddie Johnson
Chicago Police chief Eddie Johnson said: "Smollett attempted to gain attention by sending a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language.
"When that didn't work, Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack.
"This morning not only do I come to you as the superintendent of Chicago police department, but also as a black man who has spent his whole life living in the city.
"This announcement today recognises that Empire actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.
"Why would anyone, especially an African American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations.
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"How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile."
State of Illinois Circuit Court Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. later called the hate-crime hoax allegations against the star “utterly outrageous,”
“The most violent, despicable part of it, if true, is the noose,” he said. “That symbol conjures up such evil in this country’s history.”
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