The case of Jussie Smollett’s attack will reportedly go before a grand jury as early as next week amid reports the Empire star orchestrated it himself.
Law enforcement sources have told TMZ that a panel will hear the case, but it remains unclear who will be facing charges.
Smollett has said he’s “angered” and “devastated” after reports claim he paid two brothers to carry out his attack last month.
The actor, who is black and gay, claimed he was the victim of a possible hate crime on 29 January. He told police he was assaulted by two men who poured bleach on him and put a rope around his neck while shouting racial and homophobic slurs at him.
Reports suggested one of his attackers was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for the Chicago police, said that new evidence presented by the Nigerian brothers has “shifted the trajectory of the investigation” as officers seek to re-interview Smollett about the case.
After scouring hundreds of hours of surveillance video, police eventually tracked down the two brothers who are now said to be co-operating with the investigation as attention shifts to Smollett.
According to TMZ, Smollett refused to press charges when he learned the brothers had been arrested as he “knew them and felt sorry for them”.
CBS Chicago claims that the actor paid the brothers $3,500 for the attack and purchased the rope that was used in the assault.
Attorneys for the Empire star have denied Smollett has anything to do with the attack, saying: “Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”
