It was previously reported that Jussie Smollett made a
$3,500 check to two Nigerian brothers to stage his hate crime attack, but now
the pair have confirmed the check was for a training program.
According to TMZ, the $3,500 check made out to Abel
Osundairo, 25, and his brother Ola Osundairo, 27, who are bodybuilders was for
training to prepare the former Empire actor for an upcoming music video shoot.
Abel and Ola's attorney, Gloria Schmidt, told TMZ the $3,500
check was compensation for a training and nutrition program designed to help
Smollett bulk up for a music video.
Schmidt denied a reporter's suggestion that the brothers
could be in legal jeopardy if they lied to police about the check.
"Absolutely not," Schmidt said. "I don't know
what the prosecutors have said or not said, but I know in terms of their legal
analysis, they're not in any peril."
She said Smollett "took advantage" of the
Osundairo brothers. "What this case really is about is a person in a
position of trust who really betrayed my clients and took advantage of
them."
The Empire star had told police that two Trump supporters
attacked him and yelled racist and homophobic slurs while pouring bleach on him
and tying a rope around his neck outside his condo on Jan. 29.
The 36-year-old was arrested on Feb. 20 and charged with one
felony count of lying to the police. He also faces federal charges of mailing a
threatening letter to himself.
Chicago PD Superintendent, Eddie Johnson accused the actor
of paying the brothers $3,500 to help him stage the attack. They told police
Smollett promised to pay them an additional $500 when they returned from a trip
to Africa.
Jussie Smollett is due back in court on March 14.
