Two different law enforcement sources have confirmed that Empire actor Jussie Smollett paid two friends to orchestrate an assault on him, according to CNN.
The men, who are brothers from Nigeria and both worked on the show Empire with Jussie, were reportedly paid $3500 and promised an additional $500 for their role in the apparent scam. Smollett claimed last month that he was attacked by two white men, who placed a noose around his neck and yelled homophobic, racist threats including "this is MAGA country."
Through his attorneys, Smollett is now saying he is "angered and devastated" by these reports he organized the whole thing and "nothing is further from the truth."
According to police sources, in addition to the brothers' statements, there are receipts showing they purchased two plain red hats (apparently to mimic the MAGA hats) at a local beauty supply store and rope (to make the noose) at a neighborhood hardware store.