Police claim that actor Smollett staged an attack in Chicago to advance his career

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Actor Jussie Smollett paid his brothers thousands of dollars to beat him in an organized racist and homophobic attack because he was unhappy with his salary for the television series "Empire" said the Chicago police chief.

Smollett, who is black and openly gay, was arrested Thursday and accused of lying to the police in connection with the alleged January 29 attack. Eddie Johnson, superintendent of the Chicago Police, was visibly angry when he condemned his actions.

The police did not explain why Smollett was hoping to increase his salary by organizing a supposed racist and homophobic attack by supporters of President Donald Trump. "Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," Johnson said at a news conference, adding that the actor had paid $ 3,500 to the brothers for setting up scene of this alleged crime.

"This stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was unhappy with this salary. He concocted a story about being attacked, "Johnson said. "We gave him the benefit of the doubt."

The police did not say anything about the amount of Smollett's salary. If he is found guilty, the 36-year-old actor could be sentenced to a prison term of one to three years.

Smollett had claimed that two alleged supporters of Trump had struck him and pbaded him the knot in the neck. It had originally been reported that an unknown substance had been poured on him, but Johnson said Thursday that it was not clear.

"@JussieSmollett – What about MAGA and tens of millions of people who insulted you with your racist and dangerous comments !? #MAGA, "Trump wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

20th Century Fox Television, which airs "Empire," said Thursday in a statement: "We understand the seriousness of this case and we respect the legal process. We evaluate the situation and examine our options. "

The Cook County Attorney's Office has approved criminal proceedings against Smollett for disorderly conduct and filing a false police report, police said on Wednesday. A bail hearing is scheduled for later Thursday.

Legal spokesmen Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson said in an e-mail Thursday, "Once we're ready to make a statement, we'll do it."

In a statement on Wednesday, Smollett's lawyers said they were conducting a thorough investigation to form an aggressive defense.

During the investigation, the police interviewed over 100 people, viewed videos from more than 55 police and private surveillance cameras, and executed more than 50 search warrants to determine their findings.

On February 13, police arrested the two brothers who were recognized from after surveillance footage of the place where Smollett said the attack had occurred. One of the brothers worked with Smollett on "Empire", according to police and their lawyer.

Towards the end of the 48 hours during which the police are allowed to detain potential suspects without charging them, the two brothers "decided to confess the entire plot," Johnson said. They became witnesses and were released two days later without charge.

Since the alleged attack, Smollett had received support on social media, including several celebrities and Democratic candidates for the presidency. But others were skeptical about the incident that, according to Smollett, took place around 2 am on a Chicago street during one of the coldest weeks in the city's recent history.

In an interview with "Good Morning America" ​​last week, Smollett said he was angry that some people are questioning his story, and he suggested that disbelief might come from racial bias.

Johnson called Smollett to apologize to the city.

"How can an individual who has been adopted by the city of Chicago turn around and slap everyone in this city by making these false statements?" Said the superintendent of police.