But police say Smollett faked the attack because he was looking for a raise on his show Empire. Smollett has been playing the role of Jamal Lyon on the Fox show since 2015. He was reportedly paid $100,000 an episode, according to Associated Press.
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Police say the bizarre plot began when a letter Smollett allegedly mailed himself which called him a ‘f*g’ did not get enough press attention.
Meanwhile, the actor has angrily denied the allegations he faked his own attack. He has condemned investigators handling of the case, which his attorneys said “trampled” his presumption of innocence.
Smollett’s lawyer said, “As a victim of a hate crime who has co-operated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.”
A source told CNN that Smollett tearfully told the cast and crew of Empire he was innocent of all the charges against him. The actor is currently laying low and is now out on a $10,000 bond.
He is due back in court March 14. The brothers are cooperating fully with their investigation and are no longer suspects, Chicago police said. They were released without charges after being arrested last month.
