Police sources: New evidence suggests Jussie Smollett orchestrated attack.
February 16, 2019.

Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation told CNN that Chicago Police believe Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate the assault.

The brothers, who were arrested Wednesday, were released without charges Friday after Chicago police cited the discovery of "new evidence." The sources told CNN that the two men are now cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Chicago police are "eager to speak to Jussie Smollett" after new information emerged following the interrogation of two brothers in the investigation into the alleged attack of the "Empire" star.  Early Saturday police said they had new information that “could change the story entirely.”

The sources told CNN that there are records that show the two brothers purchased the rope found around Smollett's neck at an Ace Hardware store in Chicago.

Initially, the two men - Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who are brothers - were considered potential suspects because they admitted to police that they were at the scene, that they were the men in the images and because police had probable cause they could be the attackers. 

Police confirmed that the two men, who are U.S. citizens of Nigerian descent, are brothers. They also said that the two “have a relationship with [Jussie].” One of the men has appeared on "Empire".

On Saturday, after their release the night before, police said they were no long potential suspects and again persons of interest, saying that they may still have information that is helpful to the investigation.

The alleged attack:

Smollett identifies as gay and since 2015 has played the gay character of Jamal on the Fox TV drama "Empire."

In the early morning hours of Jan. 29, Smollett reported that he was walking outside when he was attacked by two men. The attackers shouted racist and homophobic slurs before hitting him, pouring “an unknown chemical substance” on him — possibly bleach — and wrapping a rope around his neck, he told detectives.

Police were told the two men yelled "'Empire' fa***t" and "'Empire' n***er'" while striking him.

Police confirmed phone records show that during the attack, Smollett was on the phone with Brandon Moore, his music manager. Both claim that the alleged attackers yelled "MAGA country."

Police raided the home of the two men on Wednesday night to search for possible evidence and retrieved shoes, electronic devices, bleach and a red hat, among other items, according to photos of an inventory log confirmed to ABC News. The inventory log, first reported by a local CBS station, also contained a description for an item saying "Script-Empire."

The GMA Interview:

Smollett gave his first detailed account of what he says was a hate crime against him, and the aftermath, in an interview with "Good Morning America" that aired Thursday. During the interview he expressed frustration at not being believed.

"It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more," Smollett said. "And that says a lot about the place where we are as a country right now."

Smollett also refuted reports that said he told police the attackers wore "Make America Great Again" hats.

"I never said that," he told ABC's Robin Roberts. "I didn't need to add anything like that. They called me a f****t, they called me a n****r. There's no which way you cut it. I don't need some MAGA hat as the cherry on some racist sundae."

Sources:

CNN - www.cnn.com/2019/02/16/enterta…

ABC News - abcnews.go.com/US/information-…

Do you think Jussie Smollett orchestrated an attack on himself, and if so, for what purpose?

If he did orchestrate an attack on himself, what should he be charged with and how much jail time (if any) should he receive?