“We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation,” Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed in a statement. “We’ve reached out to the Empire cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview,” he added.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.” -Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago detectives suspect that “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett filed a false police report when he said he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago late last month, a police official said Wednesday. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi also said Wednesday that detectives and two brothers who were earlier deemed suspects in the Jan. 29 attack were testifying before a grand jury. Smollett’s attorneys, Todd Pugh and Victor P. Henderson, met with prosecutors and police earlier Wednesday afternoon. It’s unknown what was discussed or whether Smollett attended the meeting. The attorneys didn’t reply to requests
According to CNN and the Chicago Tribune, police sources have said detectives are investigating the possibility that Smollett had 2 brothers fake the alleged attack around 2 a.m. Jan. 29 in Streeterville. Reports show the brothers have worked with Smollett on “Empire” and use the same gym. Smollett follows the brothers’ bodybuilding page on Instagram. Chicago police said Saturday they have reached out to the attorney for Jussie Smollett because they want to speak to Smollett after releasing the two brothers they had been questioning about a reported attack against the actor Smollett has hired Micheal Cohn’s criminal defense lawyer Michael Monico, the
CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett on Tuesday said he redacted some information from his phone before giving it to Chicago police investigating a reported attack on the “Empire” actor in order to protect the privacy of contacts and people who are not relevant to the attack. Smollett’s representatives issued a statement a day after police said the heavily redacted phone records he turned over to detectives this week were insufficient for a criminal investigation. The statement is the latest in a back-and-forth between Smollett and police since he reported the attack in downtown Chicago on Jan. 29. Police have made
A cast member on the hit television show “Empire” alleged he was physically attacked by men in Chicago who shouted racial and homophobic slurs, police said Tuesday.
Watch as reporter Brittany K. Jackson interviews Empire Stars Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett about HIV/AIDS advocacy and what it means to be considered a “Hero in the Struggle”
Gina Brown was pregnant with her daughter when she received the news that she was HIV positive on April Fool’s Day in 1994.
Watch as we catch up with “Empire” actor Bryshere Y. Gray during PRE, BET Chairman and CEO Debra Lee’s exclusive BET Awards Dinner for the 17th Annual BET Awards held at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on June 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.
Host: Brittany K. Jackson
Today is National Transgender HIV Testing Day and I’m making it a point to address the issues of our Transgender brothers and sisters.
Sanaa Hamri, the director and executive producer of FOX hit “Empire” talks about her journey through the film industry and the importance of diversity.
Host: Brandon I. Brooks
The Los Angeles Sentinel catches up with Empire Star Bryshere Y. Gray, Film Producer Jesse Collins and actor Elijah Kelley at the red carpet premiere of the New Edition Story, scheduled to air during six-hour, three night premiere January 24, 25, and 26, 2017 on BET.
Correspondent: Brittany K. Jackson
Lee Daniels to Be Honored and Jussie Smollett to Host Heroes In The Struggle Gala Reception and Award Presentation to benefit the Black AIDS Institute
Trai & Grace Byers of the Hit Fox TV Series Empire share how they met and eventually fell in love, God’s way at 2016 Merge Summit.
Reporter: Brittany K. Jackson